In a world where technology and creativity often collide, friends might frequently come across someone using 3D printing to craft unusual instruments. For example, a Yale student once used beer bottles and 3D printed parts to create a musical keyboard. But this time, California-based artist Matt Pearson took a more organic route. Instead of relying on traditional materials, he turned a gourd into a simple yet fascinating instrument—no strings, buttons, or keys required. Just by holding it or moving it slightly, it produces music.
This project has been in the works since March of this year, with the goal of creating an interactive musical experience that feels as natural as possible. "Our festivals are evolving. Public spaces like concerts, museum exhibitions, and stage performances are becoming more engaging, and audiences today are influenced by the internet, expecting more participation in the activities they attend," Matt explained on his website. "With things like on-demand TV, games, and immersive devices, active audiences want to be involved. These gourds work with them to create music, making them a unique and special instrument."
The gourd, one of the oldest known musical instruments, has a long history. Used as both a container and a sound-making device for over 10,000 years, it was traditionally played by shaking or tapping. Now, Matt and his team have brought it back into the modern era. "Gourds are the oldest form of musical instrument. Cultures around the world have used them as body resonators, producing sound through vibration," they said. "A dried gourd acts as a natural amplifier, enhancing the sound from your own movements."
But unlike ancient people who filled gourds with stones and shook them, Matt’s version is completely motion-driven. “These digitized gourds are instruments that use motion data to control digital sounds,†he explained. “Each gourd has a motion sensor that tracks its movement, and a speaker that amplifies the resulting audio. This means anyone, even non-musicians, can pick it up and play it right away, blurring the line between audience and performer.†From kids to seniors, everyone can dance and make music with a gourd.
Initially, Matt only used an accelerometer from a Wii controller. He later upgraded it with a 9-degree-of-freedom sensor, combining a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. These components translate motion into sound. “To track the exact position in 3D space, the sensor sends data via an XBee network to a central computer running MaxMSP and Ableton Live software. The computer then sends the audio signal back via Bluetooth. The gourd functions like a wireless speaker,†Matt said. “This setup ensures every movement creates a sound output. We hope it sparks curiosity and encourages exploration of the gourd’s full potential.â€
To achieve this unique instrument, Matt used 3D scanning and 3D printing to design custom covers for each gourd. “The part of the gourd that was hollowed out was replaced with algorithm-generated 3D printed parts,†he explained. Each gourd includes two printed components: one is a grid that fits the shape of the gourd, and the other is the outer casing for the speaker.
The final result is the striking instrument you see in videos and photos. It's sure to stand out at any music festival, and best of all, no musical skill is needed to play it! Matt and his team are now working on a networking feature that allows multiple actions to combine into a single sound. “This will let more people enjoy the joy of creating music together,†he said.
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