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
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!
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
oboe, cello, violin…
Hammond B3. Mmmmm.
Piano. Chopin, especially Raindrop.
If I said guitar, I’d point you to this song, which is actually a piano song performed on guitar. Lately this is the song that makes me feel things.