A bamboo instrument from the Philippines. The jaw harp is held against the player’s lips and the central bar is “twanged” –– different notes can be selected by changing the shape of the mouth.

Jaw Harp

The thumb piano was invented in Africa and is traditional in many sub-Saharan countries. This one was made in Kenya (?) in the 1990s. The metal tines are plucked with the fingers –– they are sometimes hammered out of recycled bicycle spokes. The music is based on traditional themes from Zimbabwe.

Thumb piano (kalimba)

Made in the USA around 1990 (Native American). This is an “external duct” flute –– the player blows into one end but the airstream is diverted out of the pipe, running through a groove underneath the tied-on block. The gentle sound of the instrument has led to it being called a “courting flute”.

Cherokee flute

Made by Ian Summers in 1977. This instrument is based on the kora and similar instruments from West Africa. The resonator is a plastic bottle, with a wooden framework to carry the tension of the strings (which are nylon fishing line). The music is based on a traditional melody.

Harp lute

From the Karen hilltribe of Northern Thailand, made around 1990. The top of the soundbox is made of sheet metal from a tin can, and the strings are unravelled from a motorcycle brake cable (you can still see the original twist). The tenaku is used to accompany singing and is an important cultural symbol for the Karen people. The music is based on a traditional song.

Arched harp (tenaku)

Made in Hungary around 1985. Three pairs of strings run over the fingerboard, for playing the melody, and another ten are used for accompaniment. The Austrian version of this instrument became widely known when used for the theme music of the 1949 film “The Third Man”. The music is the traditional Hungarian song "Holtig Bánom", recorded by Bela Bartok in 1938.

Zither (citera)

From the USA, made in the 1940s. Ukelins were sold door-to-door by persuasive salesmen who demonstrated how easy they were to play. Many were bought but most were little used, quickly ending up in the attic. The music is "Lift Up Lightly the Stable Bar" by Horace King.

Bowed zither (ukelin)

From China, made around 1910. There are 42 steel strings, arranged in 14 sets of three and struck with bamboo hammers. Some strings can produce two different notes, depending on where they are hit. Because of its shape, this style of yangqin is known as a “butterfly”. The music is "Still Lake, Autumn Moon" by Lu Wencheng.

Hammered dulcimer (yangqin)

The original is around 8,000 years old and was made from fired clay in the area which is now Kosovo.

Prehistoric ocarina (replica)

Made in DR Congo in 1973 –– the tuning pins are a later addition. The metal rattles add a buzzing sound when the strings are plucked. The inscription on the lid reads “NKO UBEMBI MBETE LE 4 I 73”. The pluriarc is a development of the musical bow, with several bows combined in one instrument. The music is based on the playing of Bakia Pierre, recorded by Hugh Tracey in 1952.

Pluriarc (lukombe)

The balalaika is the most well-known of Russian traditional instruments. It was developed from a simple folk lute in the late 19th century. This one was made in 1975. Balalaika orchestras include various sizes –– the largest is the contrabass, with a body around a metre across. The music is the traditional song "Le roi a fait battre tambour".

Balalaika

From Madagascar, made in the 1990s from recycled materials. The raised metal frets on the neck have an irregular spacing (unlike a normal guitar or ukulele) –– the “missing” notes are not needed for playing in the traditional style. The music is based on a song by the Malagasy musician Rossy.

Small guitar (kabosy)

The player’s mouth is used to amplify the sound of the plucked string, by resting one end of the bow against the cheek. Different notes can be selected by changing the shape of the mouth. Musical bows have probably been played for thousands of years, but no ancient examples have survived.

Musical bow

Made to be Played is an exhibition of musical instruments at Torquay Museum (Devon, UK). FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INSTRUMENTS: click/tap on the thumbnails. These are recordings of the actual instruments on show, played (mostly) by Ian Summers. See link for an on-line exhibition.

Made to be Played

Popular tracks