The new Bob Dylan movie has sparked a surge in Brits taking up the harmonica, latest data shows.
Sales of mouth organs soared by more than a fifth in the run-up to the release of A Complete Unknown, a biopic of the singer-songwriter legend, starring Timothée Chalamet.
Demand for the wind instrument has spiralled by 21.6 per cent, according to online music lesson firm Moombiz and instrument retailer Gear4Music.
The electric guitar, controversially played by Dylan at a 1965 folk festival, remains the UK’s most popular musical instrument, followed by the keyboard, acoustic guitar, classical guitar and the ukulele – the latter famously played by funnyman George Formby.
A spokesman for Moombiz and Gear4Music, which compiled the research, said: ‘So much of the popularity of an instrument is driven by what’s perceived as cool – and the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, seems to be having a surprising impact in this regard.
‘A further boost to harmonica sales is expected after the film is released – also contributing to the continued dominance of the guitar.’
He added: ‘But the new film starring Timothée Chalamet isn’t the only pop culture juggernaut influencing the instrument industry.
‘Last year also saw a rise in sales of black cellos, like the kind played by the protagonist of Addams Family spin-off, Wednesday.
‘In the show, the eponymous character performs the Rolling Stones’ song Paint It Black on a black cello.
‘Similarly, the electric guitar performance by Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn, in Stranger Things, of Metallica’s Master of Puppets, turbocharged the popularity of the electric guitar, accelerating the shift away from acoustic and classical guitars.
‘In 2024, electric guitars accounted for 61 per cent of guitar orders, while acoustics made up just 39 per cent.’