The relationship between the human body and musical instruments that people play is an interesting one.

Instruments have to be made to be able to fit the body and how it works. A violin, for example, has to be able to rest in between the player's shoulder and chin.

A new 3D-printed musical instrument called the Hornucopian Dronepipe wraps all the way around the player's body, embracing them in an acoustical hug.

The Hornucopian Dronepipe is one installment of five instruments in a collection called Multi. It has been designed by Eric Goldemberg and Veronica Zalcberg from Monad Studios, along with musician Scott F. Hall. The collection is being designed to explore the relationship between musical instruments and the people that play them.

The Multi collection itself is made of a 3D-printed frame that is five meters long, or around 16.4 feet, and two meters high, or around 6.5 feet. Inside this framework fit five instruments, including a two-stringed violin, a one-stringed bass guitar, a one-stringed cello, a didgeridoo and the Hornucopian Dronepipe.

According to the creators, the Hornucopian Dronepipe is the first of its kind, with its 3D-printed build that allows it to use complex tunnels in a way that is designed to wrap around the body of the player.

According to the team, the inspiration for the instrument came from pythons and how they interact with trees. The idea was then applied to the human body rather than a tree, and to the posture of the human body. 

The sound of the instrument itself is very deep, resonant and slightly eerie. As the player blows into the mouthpiece of the instrument, it would be easy to imagine the acoustic vibrations engulfing the body of the player.

Via: CNet