The Ondes Martenot is an early electronic musical instrument with a keyboard and slide has been used by many composers, most notably Olivier Messiaen in a classical format. This has got to be the most natural sounding electronic instrument I've heard.
Some rock bands have used it a bit, but usually the 'Theremin' or electro-theremin ("Good Vibrations") gets the credit. There's also been some newer more electronic versions made and used, but Jonny Greenwood(Radiohead guitarist/composer/solo artist) has been using the real deal for years which can be heard on most of his and the bands LP's.
Greenwood now has landed a super gig being the composer for Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie "There Will Be Blood".
How cool would it be to have one of these in your living room? Definitely be freaking out your neighbors late at night!
Listen for the Ondes Martenot in Radiohead's Pyramid Song.
Go here for Jean Laurendeau's close up and a much better representation of the instrument than my silly text.
(By the way, what's the 1st thing one does when confronting any of these three instruments? Of course, the Star Trek theme! Reminds me of, uh.... walking into a guitar store and hearing "Smoke On The Water" at volume...11)
Anyway, the ondes martenot gets my vote for most bitchen gizmo.... ever.
