UKELELE, ANYONE?

Which Are The Most Insanely Difficult Musical Instruments To Learn?

Image: Rachael Cox

Every musical instrument has its own complexities and requires a certain amount of skill and dedication to master. But, as everyone knows, not every instrument is equally easy or hard to learn. Which of the following would you consider the most difficult? The violin, which requires the player to contort his or her hands in complicated positions for hours, or the theremin, which must be played in the air, without being able to use frets, or keys as a reference? Read on and learn about 10 complicated but ultimately beautiful instruments.

Image: Baher Khairy

We will start with an obvious choice here. The violin is a legendary instrument not just because of the range of expressiveness that it can convey but also because of the level of dexterity needed to play it.

One of the reasons behind this is that there are no guides on the violin for finger placement. With the violin, the lack of frets means that the player must rely on muscle memory to know exactly where to put their fingers.

Image: Kazuo ota

The french horn is a very beautiful instrument to look at, indeed. But that beauty comes, in part at least, from the intricate pattern of golden tubes and buttons that almost makes it look like a strange and ancient machine.

Playing the french horn requires a great deal of breath control, and it can be hard to figure out how to position the mouth to get the right pitch. The finger position of this instrument is also challenging. The high notes are relatively close to each other, which makes it difficult to tell the difference between them.

Image: Mohsen Taheri

If a piano and a bagpipe had a child, it would probably be an accordion. This instrument uses air pressure to create its notes and tones, which are played on a piano-style keyboard.

The reason an accordion is so difficult to play is that it requires a lot of different actions to happen simultaneously. Also, it can be quite heavy and tiring to play for long periods.

Image: Manuel Nägeli

Anyone who attempted to learn guitar and found it too difficult should steer clear of the harp. If six strings are hard, imagine having to play forty-seven strings, all of which are very close together.

Learning the exact position of each string and how to pluck it without plucking its neighboring strings is not a piece of cake.

Image: Johnny Cohen

Bagpipes require an extraordinary amount of air, which can be overwhelming for a beginner. Then there is the playing technique.

Grace notes are just about everywhere in Highland pipe music. As for that deafening sound, you’ll need a good pair of earplugs if you want to practice indoors.

Image: Michael Myers

The clarinet is a woodwind instrument, one of the hardest instruments to learn in its class. Its reed opening requires some good tongue and breath control to get a sound out.

Another major challenge many people cite is the finger holes, as closing these properly in time isn’t simple, and when even the tiniest bit of air is allowed in, the clarinet turns from sublime to squeaky or simply won’t make any sound whatsoever.

Image: Gilles Gravier

As we have seen in the previous examples, if the instrument looks hard to play, then it probably is. The oboe is similar to a clarinet but much bigger and it creates a brighter and clearer sound compared to the clarinet’s mellow tones.

The oboe is a double reed instrument that requires the player to control multiple things at the same time. It demands a lot from the mouth, lips, tongue, and breath because the sound of the instrument’s notes isn’t just controlled by finger placement. Also, an oboe player needs to learn to breathe through their nose while breathing out through their mouth.

Image: Cinescope Creative

If playing a keyboard instrument is hard, imagine having to play two keyboards and 25 brass pedals, all at the same time. Unless you are a master prog-rock keyboard player, an organ player, or some other virtuoso, the Hammond organ is a beast to be reckoned with.

Most people battle with the overwhelming number of moving parts that are required just to get a sound out of the organ, let alone a tune. This instrument requires a player with profound multitasking abilities, patience, coordination, and mental strength.

Image: Hao Zhang

Another instrument whose complexity becomes apparent when looking at it is the pipe organ. An instrument so big that it only fits inside huge buildings and requires intense coordination of the hands, feet, eyes, and ears, to play it effectively.

It takes a really long time to master the organ, and sometimes that mastery can be limited to only one specific machine since almost no two organs are the same.

Image: Mark Fletcher-Brown

Imagine playing an instrument you can’t even see, only hear. That is the theremin. Or, at least, that is the part of the instrument that you are supposed to play. No frets, no keys, nothing. Only the movement of your hands in the air, responding to the eerie sound.

The theremin is an extraordinarily sensitive instrument: the slightest loss of control will show up in the sound, as will any other interference in the instrument's electromagnetic field.

TAILS OF LAUGHTER

10 Hilarious Pet Names And Unbelievable Animal Stories Through History

Image: Josh Rakower

In a world brimming with seriousness, sometimes a dash of humor in the most unexpected places can brighten our days. Some pet owners have come up with some clever or outright hilarious names for their furry, feathery, or finned friends. From political pigs to mayoral cats, here are ten instances where animals have left an enduring mark in history while making us smile at the same time.

Image: Lucia Macedo

During the turbulent U.S. presidential race of 1968, the Youth International Party (whose members were called Yippies) nominated a pig named Pigasus for President of the United States. The nomination, though satirical, was meant to draw attention to their political dissent.

The unsuspecting 145-pound pig became a symbol of protest against the political establishment. While he didn't secure the presidency, his candidacy left an indelible mark on the era's counterculture.

Image: Helena Lopes

Roman Emperor Caligula had a favorite horse named Incitatus that lived a life of luxury. The steed had a marble stable, an ivory manger, and as many as 18 servants, all for himself. Caligula purportedly even planned to make Incitatus a consul, showcasing the eccentricity of his reign.

Image: NOAA

A dynamic duo known to marine scientists for preying on Great White Sharks off the coasts of South Africa, these marine predators were identified for having distinct collapsed dorsal fins. This prompted the scientists to name them after nautical terms since Port's fin collapsed to the left and Starboard's collapsed to the right.

Image: Nam Anh

P.T. Barnum's star attraction, Jumbo the elephant, earned his name due to his impressive size. Jumbo became a global sensation in the late 19th century, captivating audiences with his gentle demeanor, eventually becoming a synonym for something that is "extra large".

Image: Paul Teysen

At the University of York, a duck named Long Boi became a viral sensation due to his remarkable length of 2 feet 4 inches. Thought to be an Indian Runner duck-Mallard cross, and likely abandoned at the campus as an unwanted pet, Long Boi certainly stood out among the other ducks, and not just for his name. He captured the internet's affection and became a debated topic on talk shows and social media.

Image: viswaprem anbarasapandian

During World War I, John Silver, a homing pigeon, delivered crucial messages that saved the lives of many soldiers. Knocked out of the air twice by cannon flak, he got back up both times and completed his mission. He lost an eye and a leg, so he was given an eye patch and a wooden leg, hence the name "Long John Silver". His courageous service earned him the Dickin Medal, something of a Victoria Cross for animals.

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Ironically, the tiny Yorkie known as Big Boss was once the title holder for the world's smallest living dog. Measuring 4.7 inches in height, 5.1 inches long, and weighing 1 pound, 1 ounce, he was the last non-chihuahua dog to claim the elusive title.

Image: Kier Allen

In Connecticut, a beefalo named Buddy made headlines after escaping a slaughterhouse. While his name was nothing out of the ordinary, as far as animal names go, managing to evade capture for over seven months, Buddy became the most wanted fugitive in the state and a nationwide symbol of resilience and freedom.

Image: jbc

In Halifax, a black-and-white cat named Tuxedo Stan ran for mayor in a satirical campaign. He quickly achieved international attention and was even endorsed by Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper. While he unfortunately didn't win, his candidacy was successful in raising awareness about animal welfare and neutering efforts. After all, who can say no to a cat in a tuxedo?

Image: 2 Bull Photography

Renowned as one of the fiercest bucking bulls in rodeo history, Chicken on a Chain (can you believe this name?) delivered breathtaking performances in the arena. And his hilarious name was, in fact, a nod to the unpredictability of his dangerously explosive bursts.