The Badgermin: The Weirdest Music Instrument In History?
Central to our modern music landscape, electronic instruments are used in a variety of genres, from techno to alternative rock. But tools like synthesizers weren't always an integral part of popular music. In fact, in 1982 the musicians' union tried to ban synthesizers, fearing they would drive out orchestra players.
However, the organization's hopes of banning synthesizers were in vain and the tool is one of the most widely used today. However, the origins of the synthesizer, which Robert Moog made widely available to the public, date back to the late 19th century. Elisha Gray invented the first electronic synthesizer called the "Musical Telegraph" in 1876 before developing several of the first electronic instruments over the next decade.
However, the theremin is one of the most important instruments that influenced the development of the modern synthesizer. Created by Leon Theremin in 1928, this instrument was the first of its kind to be played intact and featured a metal antenna that served as a sensor. The instrument was significantly developed by Clara Rockmore, who helped popularize the theremin by touring with it. He suggested improvements that could be made to expand the potential of the tool.
The theremin has been used in many popular songs, although it is not an instrument, musicians are often seen playing it on stage. That didn't stop him from appearing on songs like The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love."
It remains a unique instrument that has fascinated musicians over the years. However, its unconventional nature has created some strange ideas in music, leading to the creation of a very strange platform: Badgermin.
In 2012, a man named David Cranmer decided to turn a dead boar into a musical instrument, because what else would you do with a dead animal? Even if he bought the duck from a taxidermy shop instead of hunting it himself, he still had to get out some sharp tools to make a cut and attach the antennae.
Speaking to NME , Cranmer explained: “There's a long tradition of people building concepts across all disciplines; The Bonzo Dog bar has tailor's worked leather on the toe, the Hawkwind has, I think I have an ax in there too. lots of plastic skulls and stuff. "Bager seems to be a nice improvement from before."
Cranmer built the instrument out of curiosity and admitted that he was not a fool. However, he does offer a custom badger to anyone who wants one, and his website even boasts of inventing a theremin owl.
Check out the video of Badgermin in action below.
