Exotic Instruments You Want to See Used in Broadway

[Forester]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 4:57am

I would love to see gamelan being used in Broadway. In case your wondering what gamelan is, go to this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelan
Updated On: 5/8/05 at 04:57 AM

[Plum]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 11:49am

Dude! I was going to say gamelan; my roommate plays in a gamelan ensemble. They'd probably need to play onstage (the gamelan ensemble in question, the only one I've seen, would never fit in a pit), but it would be very cool for a dance number.

And we can add in taiko drums while we're at it. But seriously, years after even rock bands added sitars to their songs, Broadway scores are still overwhelmingly played by Western instruments. Composers are missing out on a whole range of sounds.
Updated On: 5/8/05 at 11:49 AM

[Forester]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:36pm

I agree with you totally about using gamelan for dancing sequence or even during a heighten moment (like a battle). I was in Yogyakarta and saw a gamelan orchestra with dancers. It was amazing to watch, especially the precision. The dances and precision that they do would put a lot of broadway choreographer to shame. While watching, I started thinking about lighting opportunities. It would be brilliant.

The sitar would also be an amazing addition for a musical.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:50pm

One instrument I love is the Norse violin (I can't remember the exact name of it). It was the instrument used to play the Edoras theme in the LOTR movies.

[Act4ever]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:52pm

Any instrument that would make a show sound good!!

[bwayballerina]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:08pm

Marimba.

They might use a marimba a little bit in The Lion King, now that I think about it, but it would be cool to hear it in a less-obvious setting. (less obvious meaning a show you wouldn't expect a marimba to be in)

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:10pm

Actually, marimba and xylophone are used in most Broadway shows.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:27pm

Didgeridoo

Totally

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:35pm

Not really exotic, but there needs to be more violas in broadway pits. Actually, more strings in general.

Updated On: 5/8/05 at 01:35 PM

[bwayballerina]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:40pm

there are marimbas in a lot of broadway shows? i'll have to listen for them then... they never really stood out.

i second the vote for a didgeridoo.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 8:01am

Yeah, marimbas hardly ever stand out, that's the thing. They're supposed to blend into the background when playing in a full ensemble.

[wildcat]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 9:07am

When THE THREEPENNY OPERA was revived by Lincoln Center in the 70s using the original orchestrations from the 1920s, some of the instruments were so rare that they had to be specially built. I remember something about a cigar box banjo....anyone, the story is on the liner notes of the Lincoln Center cast album.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 11:27am

Violas aren't so much exotic as just plain ignored. And I speak from personal experience.

I haven't heard the Bombay Dreams score, but what kind of instruments did it use? Sitars, especially, are practically familiar to Western listeners thanks to The Beatles and their ilk, so why not use them (and tambura, and tabla) more often? Shamisens, too, have been heard a lot.
Updated On: 5/9/05 at 11:27 AM

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 12:33pm

steel pans
dobro

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 3:31pm

People should play the saw and the spoons more. For real, they make some neat sounds.

and there should be more banjos too.

[Wow, I sound like a hillbilly]

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 3:37pm

Therimin.

[ItSucks2BAveQ]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 3:41pm

id love to see someone use the Hiegermigenhoosendorfenwalgerfeinshintogerhopus.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 5:46pm

Amen Plum!