Hey, what's that sound?
From wallet-crippling Japanese pop gadgets to the humble handclap, David McNamee looks at the tools behind the tunes
Hey, what's that sound: Korg Monotribe
This Monotron and Electribe hybrid is armed with sonic firepower
Hey, what's that sound: Zithers and autoharps
It's the sound that unites Orson Welles and PJ Harvey
Hey, what's that sound: Nano guitar
About the size of a single blood cell and inaudible to the human ear, is there any point in the nano guitar? Yes – it's really cool
Hey, what's that sound: iPad
David McNamee: Today's launch of the iPad2 will cause a stir not just among tech geeks but also musicians. Why? Try asking Damon Albarn ...
Hey, what's that sound: Kaoss Pad
An easy-to-use gizmo that has captured the imagination of everyone from Jonny Greenwood to Brian Eno
Hey, what's that sound: Falsetto
From castrati to Jeff Buckley, straining for the high notes to create a spine-tingling sound has long been part of music
Hey, what's that sound: Eigenharp
This space-age bassoon can be programmed to imitate an entire orchestra. Plus it looks pretty cool when it lights up
Hey, what's that sound: Mike Patton
Instead of dissecting the piccolo or keytar, this week David McNamee muses on the multi-talented Mike Patton
Hey, what's that sound: Dean ML
Wielded by the late Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, the pointiest axe in metal makes the cut with its mind-ripping noises
Hey, what's that sound: Thumb piano
David McNamee: From Björk to Konono No 1, a variety of modern artists have embraced the ancient spirit of mbira music
Hey, what's that sound: Cello
From Bach to Björk, and Mozart to metal, the cello's dark, majestic undertow runs through popular music
Hey, what's that sound: Ukulele
From George Formby to Jens Lekman, the four-stringed sibling of the guitar has had champions both comical and conventional
Hey, what's that sound: Homemade guitars
Everyone from Brian May to Boredoms has bulit their own axe. So why not get creative and turn your skateboard into one?
Hey, what's that sound: Moog synthesisers
Technically ingenious and historically significant, Moogs ooze character with a sound that can be kitsch – or pulverising
Hey, what's that sound: Casiotone
The mini keyboard started life as a child-friendly toy in the 1980s and ended up in the hands of everyone from Hot Chip to Stevie Wonder
Hey, what's that sound: Musical saw
The sharpest tool in the box can also cut it as an instrument of spectral, shivering beauty
Hey, what's that sound: Throat singing
A droning, pulverising sound of shamanic origin, this is ancient soul music from the east
Hey, what's that sound: Bells
From scaring off evil spirits to providing some jangle for the Stooges, bells ring true throughout popular music
Hey, what's that sound: Glockenspiel
Favoured by indie musicians and avant-garde auteurs, the glock is outgrowing its associations with primary school music rooms. Just don't call it a xylophone ...
Hey, what's that sound: the Katzenklavier
Meet the 17th century's most inventive treatment for psychiatric disorders – a piano made of howling cats
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