Glass harmonica

[Stratisphere]

So I've seen people playing wine glasses before but this is something else. I've never seen one of these before and thought this might be worth posting up. Imagine what a bitch it would be for the people who made these to tune them. Check out the purported dangers part of the wiki too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_harmonica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UpLYuSVgoQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQemvyyJ--g

[Stratisphere]

Here's how you make them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_kPOI5wPZE

Check out min 4:25.

[FizZle]

i like how he pops that huge bubble trash everywere...and than they just play with it...lol mmmmm silicosis

[Greymatter Glass]

i like how he pops that huge bubble trash everywere...and than they just play with it...lol mmmmm silicosis

The WORST thing that bubble trash is going to do is give you a mild upper respiratory infection or get in your eye... it's not a threat to your lungs.

It makes a mess, it floats around forever sometimes, but it cannot break down into free (crystalline) silica, so there is no chance of silicosis.

Even small bits are still far too large to get very deep into your respiratory system, most likely it would land in the back of your mouth at the top of your throat... worst case it might make it to your bronchial tubes, where it COULD cause some infection, but most likely just irritation.

....

still, it's messy and bad practice to make it for no reason... but sometimes it's the best way to get to a certain end, so run with it... just don't let it get out of control :)

...

Also, there's a video somewhere of 2 guys making bubble trash by the pound for decorating store windows (as artificial snow)...

-Doug

[Racer X]

It's a great invention. Friction instruments are unusual and cool. They use an entirely different set of pitch generation behaviors, partials and harmonics. You can play very neat tricks on the ear with something utilizing friction and glass.

I've seen some in action. Heard some nice stuff on them. Not a great outdoor festie type of player though, the dust in the air makes it tough on the performer. I've seen some muddy playing at the Oregon Country Fair.

I'd like to build a little variable speed micro-one at some point. About an octave and a half. Tough to play with a loud band, requires isolation and condensor mics. But the sound is comparable to when you take a bass bow and resin to some tube bells, avoiding the strike sound and achieving a pure resonator.

I've been using glass for sound. The capabilities are off the charts as far as studio work goes. Live, it requires a lot more planning and ease of operation. So I am still far from most of my goals with it.

[Julian]

[...]
Also, there's a video somewhere of 2 guys making bubble trash by the pound for decorating store windows (as artificial snow)...
-Doug

Artificial snow has a great safety record!
http://ccstatic.com/horse/asbestos_snow_1.jpghttp://ccstatic.com/horse/asbestos_snow_2.jpg

Back to the topic, I prefer the term glass 'Armonica', since it's not at all like a harmonica.

Making instruments is a great idea.

[Greymatter Glass]

OMG I want a box of Asbestos snow...

[kage]

i heard they had to murder over 500 penguins to make that christmas story movie

[Headdi Retti's Glass Art Studio]

Homer says "Ummmmm....Snowwww"...

[FizZle]

The WORST thing that bubble trash is going to do is give you a mild upper respiratory infection or get in your eye... it's not a threat to your lungs.

It makes a mess, it floats around forever sometimes, but it cannot break down into free (crystalline) silica, so there is no chance of silicosis.

Even small bits are still far too large to get very deep into your respiratory system, most likely it would land in the back of your mouth at the top of your throat... worst case it might make it to your bronchial tubes, where it COULD cause some infection, but most likely just irritation.

....

still, it's messy and bad practice to make it for no reason... but sometimes it's the best way to get to a certain end, so run with it... just don't let it get out of control :)

...

Also, there's a video somewhere of 2 guys making bubble trash by the pound for decorating store windows (as artificial snow)...

-Doug

Word..well i guess i dont have to worry bout the potential of silicosis next time i am decorating my windows for the holidays...i may just use some of bubble trash to make the holiday punch nice and sparkly...thanks for clearin this up