Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day – Jul. 31, 2026

Expected Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that music retailers and specialty shops often feature deals on accessories or introductory lessons for less common instruments. Look for offers from retailers like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and independent music stores. Brands specializing in unique instruments, such as Harp.com for harps or Kalimba Magic for kalimbas, may also offer discounts. Local music schools might provide free trial classes for instruments like the theremin or dulcimer. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 31 approaches.

History of Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day

Since as far back as we can tell, societies have always considered music to be integral to their culture. The history of uncommon instruments is, in fact, the history of musical instruments in general. For more about their history, read Buy A Musical Instrument Day. Today, we focus on the history of various (now uncommon) musical instruments.

Statues in ancient Cyprus show people playing the lyre. The British Museum exhibits one such statue of a woman playing the lyre. Her dress and style indicate she was a member of the upper class. The ancient Cyprians also used animal-shaped rattles that might have been used to keep a beat, scare off evil spirits, or as a toy for young children.

The ancient Romans invented an instrument they called ‘hydraulis,’ which worked when water pressure from a tank forced air up into the keys and pipes. While playing this instrument, they needed multiple assistants to work the pumps that kept the water pressure high. Ancient Greeks were also famous for their musical celebrations. Each event — birth, death, work, and even illness — would be accompanied by music. They used an instrument called ‘auloi,’ which was a pipe made of wood, bone, or metal. Blowing into the reed inserted at the end of this instrument would produce sound.

On the other side of the continent, in Asia, Buddhists used trumpets made of different items — like conch shells — to call monks to services. The ancient Egyptians, too, had their own special musical instruments, like the harp. Examples of this are shown in scenes covering the walls of tombs. These scenes show people plucking two strings at a time, and they are accompanied by instruments that resemble lutes and oboes.

By the 12th century, many more musical instruments were invented, including a medieval instrument that resembled a guitar, called the citole. This instrument is actually the precursor to the violin, having been converted at some point during the 16th century.

Over the years, new, amazing, and uncommon inventions have increased the expansive variety of musical instruments. By the 19th century, electric instruments came around, and along with this, another unique invention. The Soviet government had sponsored research into proximity sensors. A researcher on the team accidentally invented an electric instrument that can be played without being touched. While not a commercial success initially, it has since been used in film scores, on television, and occasionally in pop and rock music.

We can trace the history of uncommon instruments around the world, but we are still unsure about who created this special day. All we know is they wished to spotlight the unusual and unique musical instruments.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day