Unusual instruments you wish more film scores used...

[Matt C 605]

I'm referring to instruments mainly used for color or atmosphere, ones you'd wish more film scores would use more often or integrate as a main part (Thomas Newman and Alexandre Desplat seem more willing than others). It can range from the usual ethnic flutes to the Chinese ditzi or something like the glass harmonica.

I love that otherworldly sound of the glass harmonica, one Debbie Wiseman used to excellent effect in Arsene Lupin. Another one is the hammered dulcimer.

[hornist 1,261]

Cimbalom

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Clarinet

Violins

Almost unheard of in the scores of Hans Zimmer and his ilk

[Jim Ware 638]

Theremin.

[Jilal 681]

Monochord and saxophone.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Clarinet

Violins

Almost unheard of in the scores of Hans Zimmer and his ilk

Too busy inventing new ones. Diego Stocco's experibass is amazing.

[chuck 155]

The tsungi horn. Never been used in a film score before.

[Jilal 681]

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I would love to image what Jerry could have done with it.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[Marcus 395]

What I would like to hear more, as it has all but disappeared from the film scoring arena, is the sound of separate sections. So many scores seem caught in the "eternal tutti", which makes great tutti writing stand out to less effect. What I'd love to hear more of, is economy. Bring on unusual, colorful combinations in duos, trios etc. Or even entire set pieces conceived for winds alone or brass alone. The funny thing is it won't necessarily sound smaller or less "epic". Another thing I'd like to hear (or write myself, if the opportunity is alloted), is an entirely choral (a cappella) score. And scores for solo instruments, even.

[Quintus 6,494]

Agree 100%

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I want more pizzicato!

[Jilal 681]

I want pizza's!

[Marian Schedenig 11,694]

Can't have enough waterphone.

[Ludwig 1,180]

Solo piano. Like over the end credits of E.T.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Solo piano is hardly unusual in film scores.

[Brónach 1,330]

Great examples there.Theremin, clarinet (sweetest sound in existence), cymbalon, waterphone and similar ideas to the waterphone. I'll add that I'd like some more bassoon, and also old intruments like oud, cithara, etc.

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

Electric Violin, Blaster Beam

[Muad'Dib 2,059]

Baritone sax

[Matt C 605]

Another thing I'd like to hear (or write myself, if the opportunity is alloted), is an entirely choral (a cappella) score. And scores for solo instruments, even.

I noticed a few silent film scores that were played entirely by organ (another underutilized instrument). I forgot the name(s), though.

[indy4 160]

There should be more trombone solos/solis.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Love those....

[Brónach 1,330]

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

A Mellotron Mk II - The Black Bitch...

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

Goat testicles.

[chuck 155]

The harp. Anyone here knows a film score where the harp is the primary central instrument?

[Henry B 51]

Another thing I'd like to hear (or write myself, if the opportunity is alloted), is an entirely choral (a cappella) score. And scores for solo instruments, even.

I noticed a few silent film scores that were played entirely by organ (another underutilized instrument). I forgot the name(s), though.

Yes, please, let's have some more organ. I think the reputation of this instrument has been decimated just by the cliché of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor in horror films. It's seriously an amazing instrument, though. The original synthesizer.

[Marian Schedenig 11,694]

The harp. Anyone here knows a film score where the harp is the primary central instrument?

Herrmann's Beneath the 12-Mile Reef. Well, not one harp... nine of them.

[crocodile 9,724]

I want more pizzicato!

Like this? And wait, wait, there are woodwinds in it as well! And it doesn't seem like a likely candidate of a movie for this type of instrumentation.

Karol - who would like to hear more woodwinds (basoon, clarinet) in a non-comedic vein

[Matt C 605]

Cimbalom

I love that! I think a score written for cimbalom, choir, hammered dulcimer, and organ is possible. It'd be challenging, but I'd love to hear something like that.

[indy4 160]

The harp. Anyone here knows a film score where the harp is the primary central instrument?

Herrmann's Beneath the 12-Mile Reef. Well, not one harp... nine of them.

It's fairly prominent in Herrmann's "Journey to the Center of the EArth" also.

[Brónach 1,330]

It's fairly prominent in Herrmann's "Journey to the Center of the EArth" also.

That reminds me... scores without a string section.

[wanner251 18]

Gamelan

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

Doesn't "Solaris" (2002) use a gamelan?

[gkgyver 1,647]

Ocarina.

Solo piano. Like over the end credits of E.T.

Piano is something I definitely want to hear LESS of in todays film scores.

[Matt C 605]

Piano is something I definitely want to hear LESS of in todays film scores.

Wait, what? If the score is well-written and properly orchestrated, why should there be less?

[Rachael Foley 10,162]

"More pianos the better!" ~ John Williams (or something like that)

[Delorean90 47]

Piano is something I definitely want to hear LESS of in todays film scores.

Wait, what? If the score is well-written and properly orchestrated, why should there be less?

I think it's more the fact that, when piano is used today, it's more often than not in a really obvious and pedestrian way. I would have no problem with a piano sensitively and intelligently used in a score, though; if someone can come up with another The Conversation, bring it on.

As for unusual instruments, I'd love to hear Harry Partch's instruments used in (a) film score(s).

[gkgyver 1,647]

Piano is something I definitely want to hear LESS of in todays film scores.

Wait, what? If the score is well-written and properly orchestrated, why should there be less?

I think it's more the fact that, when piano is used today, it's more often than not in a really obvious and pedestrian way.

Exactly.

I hate it when a piano is used for just some unobtrusive tingling.

I loved it in Amazing Spider-Man. But then, it's James Horner. Most other composer today simply ... aren't James Horner.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

More picollos, but don't tell Franklin J. Schnaffer.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

harpsichord like Johnny Mandel used in his score for Deathtrap.

That score is one of the many gems from 1982, a wonderous year for film and film scores.

[KK 3,313]

Cimbalom

I'm starting to feel that the cimbalom is already starting to overstay its welcome in today's film scores, considering its now become a standard element of MV/RC repertoire.

[indy4 160]

I'd like to hear more prominent but accompaniement piano parts, like in Snowy's theme. I love a solo piano, but I feel a lot of times people forget that it can be very effective in supporting or interacting with other sections of the orchestra.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,020]

I'd like to hear more prominent but accompaniement piano parts, like in Snowy's theme. I love a solo piano, but I feel a lot of times people forget that it can be very effective in supporting or interacting with other sections of the orchestra.

...such as "Corey In Jeopardy"...

[crocodile 9,724]

Doesn't "Solaris" (2002) use a gamelan?

Alexandre Desplat's The Golden Compass uses gamelan to a great effect.

Karol

[A24 5,155]

Doesn't "Solaris" (2002) use a gamelan?

It's some sort of steel drum or hang drum. A great sound but overused these days.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Yes.

Goldsmith used a Dukuk for The Russia House in the early 90s and it sounded fresh and unique. After Gladiator everyone started using one and it became old.