Bonus points for a song that has a good part for that instrument.
Vibraphone and marimba
Very close, steel drum
Drums - pretty much any single by Street Drum Corp
I’m big fan of pianos (but not all piano genres) and I have learned that I really like piano run through a phaser and doubled with a Japanese koto
Drums in music. I always zero in on the percussion patterns.
Here’s one I enjoy a lot.
I also recommend checking that whole album out. It’s great.
Like as the main or only instrument in a song? Probably Spanish guitar. See “Vamo Alla Flamenco” from Final Fantasy 9. I wanna say Diablo 2 had a good Spanish guitar track too, but no idea what it’s called.
I believe the song in Diablo is called “Tristram”. Excellent classical guitar song!
When I think of a classical instrument, I think cello - specifically this piece Shadow of Doubt by Yoko Kanno, where it has such a brooding tone and power.
Being a synthesizer nerd, I like those most, but they have such varied tones among them and even on the same synth; 4x Atlantis by Aphex Twin probably captures one of the tones I most love, and the entire “Orphans” piece hits much of the range.
The hurdy-gurdy is so pleasant to listen too. I love the drone notes it can play.
Roland TB-303. It’s the synth that launched so much electronic music. Examples are legion, but one of my favorites is Psychic TV “E-male:” https://youtu.be/o2U3joQ9oFI
Generally considered among the penultimate 303 examples are:
- “Higher State of Consciousness” by Josh Wink (https://youtu.be/NdaqXjDtXkQ)
- “Acperience 1” by Hardfloor (https://youtu.be/Un4CeV_l3pI)
Man, I love me some guzheng nowadays.
There’s a YouTuber called Mo Yun who does wonderful guzheng music, including some frankly mind-blowing covers of popular songs. Every so often I just let her entire channel play in the background while I go about my day.
Oboe. Anything from the Dream Academy albums would qualify. It has a nice pure sound almost like a vocal.
In second place would be the sitar, or the Hammond Organ if someone is rockin out. The Peddlers, or Fanny would be good examples of excellent Hammond.
Trumpet. I think it’s cause that’s the instrument I first learned music on in elementary school.
Love me a steel drum. No other instrument can instantly transport you to a beach
Same with me. They just embody relaxation and good times. Makes me smile when I hear steel drums.
Hammond B3. Mmmmm.
oboe, cello, violin…