5 Instruments Laurie Anderson Built Herself

Tape-bow violin Anderson replaced the horsehair on a violin bow with magnetic tape, and the violin’s bridge with a playback head. Moving the bow across the strings plays back recorded sounds.

Talking stick A six-foot-long baton with a MIDI controller and voice synthesizer inside. Anderson uses it to trigger samples and alter her voice in real time during performances.

Drum suit A wearable instrument with drum pads sewn into the fabric. Striking different parts of the suit triggers electronic percussion sounds.

Voice changer A custom pitch-shifting device that lets Anderson lower her voice to a male register. She used it to perform as her alter ego, Fenway Bergamot.

Violin with a speaker A hollow-body violin with a built-in speaker and amplifier. Anderson can play prerecorded sounds through the instrument while bowing it.