Sting's Instrument

February 29, 2004 10:57 PM

What the hell was that *thing* Sting was playing at the Oscars? It had an almond-shaped body, but the two strings were spread wide, with what looked like a harmonica in between 'em, and almost no neck. Plus, he was turning a little hand-crank on it with his right hand. It had two small f-holes in it, too. I'm completely stumped.
posted by notsnot to media & arts (15 comments total)

I didn't want the Oscars long enough to see Sting, but from your description, it might have been a hurdy gurdy.
posted by Orb at 11:04 PM on February 29, 2004

...and there you have it. Thanks, Orb, that's exactly what it was.
posted by notsnot at 11:14 PM on February 29, 2004

Oh, cool, that's the dealy they were playing in that Hippie Star Trek episode too!
posted by shepd at 12:09 AM on March 1, 2004

shepd, i think you did too much LDS in the 60's.
posted by quonsar at 1:32 AM on March 1, 2004

Actually, the thing that Spock played in "Way to Eden" would be more closely related to the Autoharp.
posted by Orb at 2:35 AM on March 1, 2004

That was awesome when Wil Ferrell and Jack Black were announcing best song, and Wil announced Sting's name with the dramatic pause "Sting" and they both started to crack up.
posted by Quartermass at 7:11 AM on March 1, 2004

I wish someone would mix a 10 minute academy award highlight reel and stick it on Kazaa.
posted by mecran01 at 7:17 AM on March 1, 2004

shepd, i think you did too much LDS in the 60's.

shepd was a mormon?
posted by pardonyou? at 7:18 AM on March 1, 2004

Actually, the thing that Spock played in "Way to Eden" would be more closely related to the Autoharp.

Strangely enough, an Autoharp made an appearance on the Oscars last night, too.
posted by zsazsa at 8:05 AM on March 1, 2004

Wow. You can find anything on eBay.
posted by grabbingsand at 10:02 AM on March 1, 2004

shepd was a mormon?

No, shepd did too many Mormons. Pay attention.
posted by kindall at 10:53 AM on March 1, 2004

You can never do too many marmots.
posted by squirrel at 11:37 AM on March 1, 2004

Had I known there were going to be so many mostly obscure instruments making appearances at the Oscars, I might have bothered to watch the whole thing. :D
posted by Orb at 2:35 PM on March 1, 2004

Kindall, are you implying there's lots of little shepds running about? Ooooo, my own little libertarian militia... that could be useful. :-D
posted by shepd at 11:39 PM on March 1, 2004

Problem is, he wasn't actually playing it. He was only turning the wheel, which produces a drone (like a bagpipe drone). Not once did I see him actually touch the keys on the keybox, the part that, like, produces the melody...
posted by chuq at 1:40 PM on March 3, 2004