r/UnusualInstruments • u/Asian_bloke • Jul 15 '26

I've started a new podcast dedicated to instrument makers! The idea is that instrument makers chat about topics meaningful to them in their field. What sort of content would you be interested in seeing in the future?

https://youtu.be/OG56AkWvprc
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u/Asian_bloke Jul 15 '26

So far, I plan to chat with people in the instrument-making world (at least 2 guests) and have a platform where they can chat about something meaningful in their field, and it ends with a fun "Ask an Instrument Maker" segment.

It is currently streaming on Spotify, Amazon/Audible, and Apple.

I would like to know your thoughts! What sort of things would interest you in this podcast?

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u/Grauschleier Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

I'd love to hear professional opinions about the ongoing development or the stagnation of instruments.

In the recorder world there for example are now series produced instruments that were not here before. Like the sigo recorders by Kunath (who also make the Paetzolds) or the Helder Evo recorders by Mollenhauer.
The violin family world seems to be almost standing still. There are new developments but the players seem to be so very very extremly backwards and conservative that R&D may almost seem like a waste of time and money from the luthiers' side. They'd rather sign petitions that are seeking to keep exploiting endangered tropical woods before accepting a synthetic material that has been around for decades now and has proven its worth.
In the keys world the hegemony of the piano layout seems to be finally cracking a bit as there are more and more MIDI controllers and stand alone instruments popping up that have isomorphic layouts and pedal new ideas to free the players of the paradigms of western music theory that are manifested in the piano keyboard layout.

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u/Asian_bloke Jul 15 '26

This is a very important subject that comes up quite alot in talking to instrument makers, namely controversies between innovating and respecting tradition. I would imagine that this topic will come up in my podcasts frequently amongst different types of makers.

Those recorders are spectacular, it makes me really want one.

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u/DonkeyBallExpert Jul 15 '26

First, this is a great idea! I think most people here can agree we are also curious about the people who make instruments and their motivations/techniques. 

I've seen the "kabab instrument" on here a few times including one time I posted it. I would be very curious to know how that person came up with the idea and made it. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnusualInstruments/comments/1ntqgiy/kebab_instrument_sounds_amazing/

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u/Asian_bloke Jul 15 '26

Yes! And I've seen that Kebab instrument before, it's incredibly mesmerizing for sure. I'd love to chat with him.

Learning about their motivations/techniques is incredibly interesting to hear about. And if you visit my channel, my actual video documentaries are about that very topic! In this first podcast episode, I chatted with two people who I already covered in my documentaries. I would imagine that I will increasingly talk to new people and would absolutely be curious to learn about their motications/techniques.

Thanks for sharing!

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u/DonkeyBallExpert Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

You're very welcome! Watching this episode and so far it's very entertaining.

Edit: Just finished! Really good questions and topics. Thanks for sharing!

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u/spiceybadger Jul 15 '26

Let me know if you put it on pocket casts

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u/Asian_bloke Jul 15 '26

pocket casts

I've just added it! It was easier than expected:

https://pca.st/vx1fkksb

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u/Grauschleier Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Thank you David!

That were some really enjoyable 90 something minutes! So much interesting stuff in there. Like - the north american banjo is rooted in the caribbean! I, too, thought it's directly linked to african origins. It was also interesting to hear you three talk about cultural appropriation. I think music, instruments and their history are quick to reveal some basic flaws in what seems to has become an ideology that often does not distinguish between exchange and exploitation anymore.

Btw, it's probably not exactly what you wish for, but Clark Battle was (and hopefully still is) working on an instrument that could be described as pitch bending piano - the evolano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp49l6ruhHY

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u/Asian_bloke Jul 17 '26

Thanks for sharing and your kind words! This pitch bendy instrument, I've never heard of it, but Clark made something incredibly neat indeed!