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Roseanne Pereira
St. Paul, Minn.

Real rock music

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Schubert Club collection
The lithophone is one of oldest known instruments created by humans.
MPR Photo/Roseanne Pereira

Ever wonder what pre-dated Rock n' Roll and the Rolling Stones? A concert at the Science Museum of Minnesota on Friday evening may have the answer. The performance showcases one of the oldest types of instruments known to humans.

The 3,000 year-old instrument resembles a keyboard, but is made up of rocks. Heather Barringer, a percussionist with the musical group Zeitgeist will perform. Earlier, she let us in on her tricks for getting music out of stone.

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Playing the lithophone
The instrument is called a Dan Da, and originated in Vietnam. Heather Barringer will perform a piece by composer Zhang Ying entitled "Spring Water," commissioned by The Schubert Club in 1997.
MPR Photo/Roseanne Pereira
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Schubert Club collection
The lithophone is one of oldest known instruments created by humans.
MPR Photo/Roseanne Pereira
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The lithophone
The lithophone is a xylophone made of stone. This instrument, called a Dan Da comes from Vietnam.
MPR Photo/Roseanne Pereira