Global InformationWaterphone information
A waterphone (also ocean harp) is a type of inharmonic acoustic tuned idiophone consisting of a stainless steel resonator bowl or pan with a cylindrical neck and bronze rods of different lengths and diameters around the rim of the bowl. The resonator may contain a small amount of water giving the waterphone a vibrant ethereal sound that has appeared in movie soundtracks, record albums, and live performances. The instrument was invented, developed, and manufactured by American Richard Waters (1935–2013).[1]
The waterphone was available in four sizes: the Standard (7" diameter), the Whaler (12" diameter), the Bass (14" diameter), and the MegaBass (16" diameter).[2] It is generally played in a seated position by a soloist and either bowed or drummed, played as a friction or struck idiophone, with movements to affect the water inside. This combines the resonant characteristics of the bowl and rods in combination with the movement of the water. The sound of the waterphone is often used to evoke mystery and suspense. A superball mallet has become the prime way of drumming the waterphone.
The waterphone is a modern invention influenced by a Tibetan drum—encountered by the inventor in the early sixties—containing a small amount of water affecting its timbre.[3] It is also related to the nail violin, which also used a resonator and rods (nails), and is struck or bowed.[4]
- ^ Waters, Richard. "The Waterphone Story". Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ "Waterphone Online – The Official Website of The Waterphone". www.waterphone.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012.
- ^ Journal SEAMUS: The Journal of the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States, Volume 17, 2005, p.41.
- ^ Heron-Allen, E.; Davies, Hugh (2001). Nail violin. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.19539. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.