Re: Glass Harmonica

[ro <ro...>]

Seth Austen wrote:
> Years ago in Philadelphia I heard a street musician brilliantly performing
> Mozart, etc. on the glass harmonica. I talked to him extensively about his
> particular instrument, he only used DISTILLED water in crystal goblets (all
> the same size). This was 20 some years ago, perhaps new developments on the
> instrument have made it possible to have different sized glasses without
> water, certainly would make it easier to set-up before a gig...

No, the use of the spindle mounted glass bowls of varying sizes goes
all the way back.  My son is a glass blower and I'm amazed that
bowls of the right pictch can be blown, apparently with some degree of
accuracy (tho I'm sure some grinding has to take place).

The wine glass example was simply to demonstrate the principle; the
proper instrument is somewhat more practical.  (Tho "oops" if
NOT a word you ant to hear from the roadie...)

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