You can’t deny how beautiful the glass armonica is when William Zeitler runs his fingers across the glasses, producing an absolutely amazing sound. The instrument was created by Ben Franklin as an alternative to playing a tune on wine glasses filled with water. This instrument is created using specially-blown wine glasses that nest inside one another and are connected by a tapered rod that connects them all and keeps them spinning. It still uses water to wet down the glasses just enough so that they’re able to be played without too much friction, but it’s a little easier since one only has to wet down their fingers to spread the liquid across the armonica, not keep filling and emptying glasses in an attempt to get the pitch and tone correct.
This is a rather pricey since on the low end it can cost a little over a hundred dollars, whereas the high end can be well over a thousand. Keep in mind that these instruments are likely a bit rare since they have to be crafted and carefully constructed so as to be kept in one piece and able to remain in tune. One drawback to this instrument is that if anything were to happen to the glasses, such as a chip or a break or anything that might damage it’s integrity, it is likely that the cost to repair it would be extensive. Each piece is specially made so that it fits with the others, and it’s reasonable to think that if one piece sustained any damage it might have to be taken in so that the designer could accurately match that piece to the rest of the instrument. In other words it would take time and a good deal of money to keep this instrument in working condition.
It’s an impressive piece really, and seems like it would take a rather deft hand to play since it wouldn’t pay to be heavy-handed with the instrument or careless in any way. If one could find the patience and time to master it however this instrument would be something unique to learn and no doubt calming considering that it does require a light touch and a practiced ear to really enjoy. It is definitely not an instrument for those that want hard beats and a constant, up tempo sound that inspires anything but calm. The armonica is a delicate instrument that requires a lot of care and a bit of tenderness so that it can work properly and be fully enjoyed by those that know how to embrace the lighter side of music.
The construction of it seems like it might take a while since each glass has to be fitted just right, tuned no doubt, and have the necessary hole drill into the bottom so that it can rest upon the turning rod snugly but not so tightly that it might eventually snag and cause an issue. I do wonder however if those bands that you can see on various pieces are for further tuning and different pitch.
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