The stars of this show are the instruments themselves. Listeners young and old are invited to learn about a variety of unusual instruments through authentic live music played by expert musicians. Once again, this season's Instru-Mentor programme introduces the instruments of Hungarian folklore. The body of the percussive cello (ütőgardon) is carved from a single piece of sycamore, poplar or willow. It is struck with a 40 cm hardwood stick of the thickness of a broomstick. The gardon has three or sometimes four strings, of which three are thicker and the fourth (closest to the player's left hand) is thinner. The gardon player does not need to be an expert and the instrument is generally owned by a male – usually Roma – violinist, who teaches his wife or a close relative to play. He may even employ someone to accompany him to larger dance events. The percussive cello, as its English name suggests, does not have a bow. Instead, a stick is held in the right hand and used to strike the strings elevated to the same height on a flat bridge. Meanwhile, the thumb of the left hand plucks the fourth string, raising it and allowing it to resonate against the neck. Due to the plucking and beating action of the player, the instrument is sometimes referred to by the humorous name of csipisüti – a combination of csípi (“pinch”) and üti (“strike”). (Based on the writing of Bálint Sárosi.)

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