Sound Check

Instrument of the Day

Organic Yet Otherworldly

Organic Yet Otherworldly

Organs have had a storied role in Hollywood film scores, “From Phantom of the Opera to The Tree of Life, the organ has a distinguished history in film, not only in musical scores but on the screen itself. Whatever its role, be it as a musical instrument or as a prop, its presence lends an […]

The Waterphone

The Waterphone

The waterphone produces an ethereal sound, like an unearthly harp. Invented in the late 1960s by Richard Waters, it is also known as an ocean harp. The custom-made instruments have garnered an enthusiastic following of film and TV composers, as well as a couple of pop stars (Tom Waits and Miles Davis are listed on […]

Theremania

Theremania

Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen was an eccentric guy.  Known in the U.S. by his westernized name,  Léon Theremin, he invented the spooky-kooky instrument that became synonymous with horror movie scores worldwide, and is surely the instrument that best voices the spirit of Halloween. Introduced in 1920, it created a sensation when its inventor toured the […]

The Cristal Baschet

The Cristal Baschet

The Cristal Baschet is an acoustic musical instrument belonging to the friction idiophone class. The vibration of its individual elements produces tones by means of friction. At the heart of the device are metal rods are embedded in a heavy plate. To each metal rod is attached a glass rod. The glass rods are stroked […]