Glass Harmonica

Listen to French artist Thomas Bloch demonstrating a glass harmonica, or armonica, at the Paris Music Museum. From Wikipedia:
Benjamin Franklin invented a radically new arrangement of the glasses in 1761 after seeing water-filled wine glasses played by Edmund Delaval at Cambridge in England in 1758.[6] Franklin, who called his invention the "armonica" after the Italian word for harmony, worked with London glassblower Charles James to build one, and it had its world premiere in early 1762, played by Marianne Davies.

In Franklin's treadle operated version 37 bowls were mounted horizontally on an iron spindle. The whole spindle turned by means of a foot pedal. The sound was produced by touching the rims of the bowls with moistened fingers.

Link

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

Benjamin Franklin had a remarkable impact in so many ways, including musical instruments like the glass harmonica. A Benjamin Franklin article just received the ‘Top 100 Electricity Blogs’ Award http://bit.ly/z8Ckp
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
There is an antique musical museum in Bath Maine I think is the location. Think also Miss C. had a submission about it here.
These thigs are a delight to look at. And when they played it, my god what a wonderful sound.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Wow, I don't know who came up with that, but it's awful. Ben Franklin invented it and called it the armonica. Why on Earth would someone change the name to that? They might as well have called it the glass guitar.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"Glass Harmonica"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More