Waterphone
Create eerie, otherworldly sounds with water and struck rods—beloved by film composers
The waterphone is a rare percussion instrument consisting of a fiberglass dome filled with water and containing 13 tuned stainless steel rods. When you strike or bow the rods, they vibrate through the water, producing haunting, sci-fi-like tones that sound like whales, ghosts, or alien signals. Created in the 1970s, it's become a staple in horror film soundtracks and experimental music. The instrument's unpredictable resonances make every session a sonic exploration.
Jak zacząć
- 1Listen to waterphone recordings from films and ambient albums to familiarize yourself with its sound
- 2Locate a waterphone retailer or builder (there are only a handful worldwide)
- 3Start with basic striking techniques using mallets or drumsticks
- 4Experiment with bowing techniques using cello or bass bows
- 5Explore how water level affects the tonal quality and resonance
Co będziesz potrzebować
- Waterphone instrumentNiezbędne~$2200
- Mallets and strikers (various types)Niezbędne~$40
- Cello or bass bow (for bowing)Przydatne~$150
- Microphone for recordingPrzydatne~$200
- Distilled waterNiezbędne~$10
Gdzie się uczyć
Plot twisty
Sposoby na urozmaicenie, gdy podstawy się znudzą.
- Create soundscapes for horror or sci-fi films
- Combine with looping pedals for ambient music
- Experiment with different water temperatures and additives
- Collaborate with video artists on synchronized installations
Immediate, unpredictable sonic feedback keeps each strike interesting and novel. No need to learn technique progression—every experimentation yields unique sounds.
The waterphone was featured prominently in the soundtrack for 'Alien' and has since become a go-to instrument for creating extraterrestrial and horror sound effects.
Podobne klimaty
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