The Waterphone

Posted: 7/3/2007 9:50:25 AM
Thomas Grillo

From: Jackson Mississippi

Joined: 8/13/2006

I just found a really strange instrument while sifting through youtube. It's called the waterphone, and after doing some homework, I found the home page of the waterphone's inventer.

The instrument looks like an unfinnished bird cage with a tall neck in the center. That instrument's sounds will send chills all over you as you hear it. It's been used in some motion pictures, and tv shows.

I allways thaugh I was hearing a giant squeeking metal door hinge, or something. but it's the waterphone.

The inventer is Richard Waters, and he's located in Gulfport Mississippi.

Here's his page, and fair warning, the waterphone costs allmost as much as an Etherwave Pro, but for good reason.

http://www.richardawaters.com/waterphone/index.html

I found a demo of the instrument at youtube, and pointed the video's poster to Richard's home page. Now that info is available in his videos.

Here's one of the demos.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hFyv6t3OS3c&mode=related&search=

Here's a link to the guy who posted the video, and as it turns out, he likes the theremin too. There's also more waterphone videos there.

http://youtube.com/user/Vbik
Posted: 7/3/2007 10:15:08 AM
J_D

From: Perth, UK

Joined: 5/17/2005

Have a look at The Beatrix Ward-Fernandez Trio (http://myspace.com/beatrixwardfernandez) for theremin and waterphone together. We'll get to experience it live at the Hands Off 2007 Concert (http://www.theremin.org.uk)!

Posted: 7/3/2007 10:55:26 AM
Thomas Grillo

From: Jackson Mississippi

Joined: 8/13/2006

Wow, I'm really missing out on something cool. Thanks for the link.
Posted: 7/3/2007 11:58:14 AM
GordonC

From: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK

Joined: 10/5/2005

There might even be two waterphones at HO.

Spacedog (http://spacedog.biz) has one as well. If you hunt around her website I think you'll find a clip of her playing it in the National Physical Laboratory reverb chamber.


Posted: 7/3/2007 12:08:06 PM
Thomas Grillo

From: Jackson Mississippi

Joined: 8/13/2006

I've seen that National Lab video. It's very way cool.

I just got word from the designer of the waterphone in Gulfport, and it looks like it would take about two months to get one.

I might start out with an el cheapo one on E-bay.
Posted: 7/5/2007 5:15:53 PM
Thomas Grillo

From: Jackson Mississippi

Joined: 8/13/2006

Well, I just ordered one, It's not the one Spacedog has. Hers is the good one that costs about 1200 bucks, and is made by Richard Waters.

I had to settle for the cheap look-a-like from someone in New York City through E-Bay for a third of the cost. Funny thing, is, they call it the Super Mondo Water Theremin by Aquasonics.

I allready have a violin, so I don't have to shop for a bow.

You must be logged in to post a reply. Please log in or register for a new account.