Last week Musopians had the pleasure of visiting a pinball hall in Helsinki. We interviewed Arsi, the event host, about the fun get-together.

Arsi, You hosted a Musopia Pinball Tournament in your co-owned “Pinball Cave” called Flipperikellari.

 It is such a treat to be able to play pinball without any limitations, just for fun

Even though it was “just for fun” , the fight was fierce. Everyone played the first individual games with six pre-chosen machines. The Grand Final was played between four finalists, JP, Topi, Frans, and Saku with the Iron Maiden pinball. Hard rock and hard playing, that is the least I can tell. JP was leading the final until the last ball when Saku made his phenomenal performance and gained a huge amount of points to reach a clear win at the end.

Arsi, the Pinball tournament was amazing – thank you for inviting us!

Could you tell how Musopians ended up gaming for the Rockaali Championship with your machines?

We have some great get-together events at Musopia during the year. I thought that visiting Flipperikellari and having an event mid in the endless waiting-for-summer season would be fun for colleagues. And not to forget our Rockaali series of company wide activities, which are always fun not too serious competitions. Let’s see if we make a tradition out of having a pinball location visit now and then.

How did you come to establish this place?

Pinball is my long-term hobby. About three and a half years ago we found a place to locate our pinball machines with a few friends and Flipperikellari was born.

How many pinball machines do you have?

Currently, we have some 70 pinball machines at Flipperikellari, pinballs are such funny machines that they do not feel comfy in small amounts…

What is the beauty of pinball machines?

The beauty of pinballs and playing pinball is that it is a social hobby, whether you are playing just for fun or at a competitive level. Also, the variety of the machines is enormous, the machines span several decades, and have a variety of artwork and craftsmanship not to forget the playing itself. “One more game” is the saying always around. You may develop your skills and knowledge endlessly. I have been playing pinball for over 40 years and expect another 40 to come. It is a hobby and activity for everyone.

You have some music-themed pinball machines too, tell a little bit about them.

We have Iron Maiden mentioned above, AC/DC, Metallica, and Guns n’ Roses. They are modern pinball machines and popular among our visitors. Such modern machines typically have a deep set of rules and achieving a great score needs in-depth knowledge from a player. Some collectors even have a full set of rock-themed pinballs – 15 or even more produced. Check your local pinball arcades nearby!

What is in your opinion the best song to celebrate a pinball championship win?

Pinball Wizard by The Who, naturally!

What is your “real job”, a.k.a your role at Musopia?

I’m the head of Finance at Musopia and a fairly new Musopian – since the beginning of 2024. I’m responsible for handling our rocking finance and more.

Flipperikellari is located in Käpylä, Helsinki, and hosts a weekly game night open to visitors on Thursdays from 5pm to 10pm. Occasionally open tournaments are also played at Flipperikellari. More information www.flipperikellari.fi

The post Musopia Pinball Tournament at Flipperikellari first appeared on Musopia Blog.

This is something that probably not many of our followers are aware of, but July 31 happens to be Uncommon Musical Instrument Awareness Day.  This day celebrates rare, experimental, and uncommon musical instruments. To honor all the beautiful, odd, and fascinating instruments in our lives, we decided to dedicate today’s blog article to this day.

As you know, we at Musopia are experts in guitars and ukuleles, especially when learning these two fine instruments. Our apps are targeted to help everyone find their musical path accompanied by these popular string instruments. 

There are many different ways to count and measure, which are the world’s most popular and most played instruments. This probably doesn’t shock anyone, but the guitar makes it to every one of these top 10 lists. The ukulele is slightly rarer but gets frequent mentions on many of these lists. 

Even though these two instruments represent a considerable part of our expertise, we musopians also want to pride ourselves on being passionate about all kinds of music and every instrument used in making music. The more instruments, the better!

Our team at Musopia has quite a bit of talent with many different instruments. Our team members know their way, for example, with the piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele, bass, drums and keyboards, among many others.

Throughout human history, musicians have tried to push the boundary of sounds and music by inventing newer and innovative ways of creating music. Did you know that the earliest recorded musical instruments are about 42,000 years old? Found in a cave in Germany, these flutes were made of bird bones and mammoth ivory. Instruments have developed immensely since then, and thanks to creative and quirky musical enthusiasts and experimentalists, the selection of existing instruments has gotten deliciously broad!

The Uncommon Musical Instrument Awareness Day aims to encourage people to learn to play some of these uncommon instruments and contribute to the world of music by making their musical instruments.

But what do you assume? What kind of instruments make it to the list of most uncommon instruments? We can, of course, take educated guesses and assume that the guitar and ukulele don’t make it to these lists. 

After some consideration and editing, we have picked these ten fabulous instruments to the top ten of the most uncommon instruments.

1. Picasso Guitar

This fascinating harp guitar has 42 strings, four necks, and two sound holes. It was inspired by Pablo Picasso, the founder of the Cubist movement and one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. 

2. Theremin

The theremin is one of the earliest electronic instruments. The instrument has two metal antennas that can sense the positions of the player’s hands, which control the volume and pitch of the instrument.

3. Glass Armonica

If you’ve ever tried to make music with a wine glass, you get an idea of how the glass armonica works. The glass armonica consists of a series of glass bowls in different sizes, and the sound is produced by the player rubbing their fingers over the glass. Fun Fact: The instrument is the brainchild of no other than Benjamin Franklin.

4. The Wintergatan Marble Machine

This instrument is a hand-cranked music box with instruments, including a circuit of 2,000 cascading steel marbles. As the device cycles, it activates a vibraphone, bass, kick drum, cymbal and other instruments that play a score programmed into a 32-bar loop comprised of LEGO technic parts. The marbles are moved internally through the machine using funnels, pulleys, and tubes.

5. Yaybahar

The Yaybahar is a new electric-free, entirely acoustic instrument. The vibrations from the strings are transmitted via the coiled springs to the frame drums. The membranes turn These vibrations into sound, which echoes back and forth on the coiled springs. This results in a unique listening experience with a hypnotic surround sound.

6. Wheelharp

The wheelharp produces the rich sounds of numerous stringed instruments all at once. It is basically a keyboard that controls 61 bowed strings, allowing a single musician to sound like an actual orchestra.

7. Zeusaphone

Probably the most intimidating instrument on this list, the Zeusaphone, sometimes called “the singing Tesla coil”, is something else. It is a solid-state Tesla coil modified to produce musical tones by modulating its spark output. The lightning-like arcs vibrate the air at musical frequencies, which produce the fantastic sound you hear!

8. Badgermin

So, you already know what a theremin is, right? Now this is where it gets weird: there’s also a badgermin. It’s a badger crossed with a Theremin. It’s a badgermin. And no, we are not making this up.

9. Sea Organ

This project aimed to turn the sea into a musician using the reconstructed seafront in Zadar, Croatia, as a ginormous organ. Pipes underneath the promenade react to the waves as they crash in, creating harmonious sounds that tourists flock to experience.

10. Guitalele

This is where we have made a full circle and circled right back where we started from, to the guitar and ukulele. This time, however, it’s a combination of these two: the guitalele. A guitalele is a guitar-ukulele hybrid, that is, “a 1/4 size” guitar, a cross between a classical guitar and a tenor or baritone ukulele. Due to its small size, the guitalele combines the portability of a ukulele with the six single strings and the resultant chord possibilities of a classical guitar.

Congratulations if you have ever seen or heard of one of these fascinating instruments! Ten points for Gryffindor!

If you have the opportunity to get familiar with or even get close to one of these instruments mentioned above, use your chance and dig in! Life is short, and you can never spend too much time exploring new, wonderfully weird things that simultaneously cause joy and raise eyebrows.

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The post Uncommon Musical Instrument Awareness Day first appeared on Musopia Blog.

As summer unfolds with its endless possibilities, there’s no better time to dive into the enchanting world of music. Whether you’re an aspiring musician or simply a passionate listener, this season provides a variety of opportunities to explore, create, and connect through the power of melodies. Join us as we present your ultimate summer music bucket list, designed to infuse your days with rhythm, harmony, and the joy of learning. Let the adventure begin!

1. Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Atmosphere of a Music Festival

Kickstart your summer music journey by attending a vibrant music festival. The air pulsates with energy as music enthusiasts from around the world gather to celebrate their shared passion. Immerse yourself in the colorful blend of genres, from rock and pop to folk and blues. Take the time to discover new artists, embrace the festival spirit, and let the melodies carry you away. Dancing with like-minded individuals to the rhythm of live music is an experience that will leave a mark on your summer memories.

2. Rediscover the Soul of Music: Listen to a Street Musician

In the heart of bustling city streets or at the crossroads of quaint coastal towns, talented street musicians can be found serenading passersby with their captivating tunes. Pause for a moment, let the melodies bring you closer, and allow yourself to be transported into their musical world. Whether it’s a guitarist strumming soulful chords or a ukulele player spreading infectious cheer, street performances’ sheer joy, and authenticity create magical moments. Not only will you appreciate their skill, but you might also uncover hidden musical gems that inspire your own creative journey.

3. Unleash Your Musical Spirit: Play Guitar on the Dock or at a Campfire

As the summer sun sets over calm waters or crackles of fire envelop the night, it’s the perfect time to grab your guitar and embrace the enchantment of creating music in nature’s embrace. Head to a peaceful lakeside dock or a cozy campfire gathering with friends and let the chords of your instrument combine with the sounds of nature. Sing your favorite songs, compose melodies, or simply lose yourself in meditative strumming. The calm ambiance and warm company will amplify the pleasure of making music, creating an experience that resonates long after the final chord fades away.

4. Have Your Own Dance Party at the Beach with Friends

What could be better than feeling the sand between your toes, the sun kissing your skin, and the sound of crashing waves as the backdrop to an epic dance party? When it comes to summer music experiences, having your own dance party at the beach with friends is an absolute must. Let’s dive into the chapter dedicated to celebrating rhythm, friendship, and the joy of movement. Find the right spot, create an awesome playlist, and invite your friends! Don’t forget to bring a portable speaker, good shoes, and swim gear for dipping in the water afterward.

Dust off your instruments, open your ears, and allow the melodies of summer to carry you to new heights of musical discovery and pure, unadulterated fun. Let the magic of music be the soundtrack to your unforgettable summer adventure.

Are you learning to play the guitar? Read top tips from music educators and top tips from fellow guitarists.

The post Your Ultimate Summer Music Bucket List: Embrace the Melodies of the Season first appeared on Musopia Blog.