The idea is to make a musical organ that would have crystal goblets with a set amount of water in them, for each musical note. Each glass would have a float valve to maintain a constant water level.
The goblets spin independently of one another and depressing a piano key causes a moistened latex "finger" to touch the spinning lip and release the haunting melody of the crystal.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 06 2004

http://www.glassvir....us/Glass_Harp.html [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jul 29 2005]

i like this. is there a way to just have one goblet with a variable fluid level e.g. a pedal-controlled float that displaces the liquid within the goblet which spins continuously. solves the problem of spinning 88 goblets (give or take) simultaneously. (+)

it would not be able to perform complex chords or countermelodies but this could make it semi-portable.
-- xclamp, Jun 06 2004


The hairs on my pussy have just all stood on end.
-- ConsulFlaminicus, Jun 06 2004


I don't believe that I've ever had that effect on a woman on line before.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 06 2004


my cat just ran out the door!
-- po, Jun 06 2004


.........[2fries]...what the hell are you talking about? I was talking about my cat.
-- ConsulFlaminicus, Jun 06 2004


That's a shame. For a second there I thought that my telekinetic abilities had strengthened to the point where I could give a trans-continental tickle.
I was going to be rich.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 06 2004


//a trans-continental tickle// I hope that doesn't mean you are in Perth, because that's waaaaay too close for me. I can't however, speak for my pussy.
-- ConsulFlaminicus, Jun 06 2004


Ath long ath your puthy thtill perth it doeth'nt have to thpeak.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 06 2004


An awe-inspiring idea!
-- DesertFox, Jun 06 2004


Mozart wrote a couple of pieces for a glass harmonica (K356 and K617) so I think the idea, while a good one, could probably be considered "baked".
-- supercat, Jun 06 2004


Ben Franklin invented the Glass Harmonica - concentric glass bowls rotating on a horizontal common spindle, suspended half- in a trough of water. Play the edges of the bowls with fingers. Allows ten-note polyphony.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Jan 25 2005


That's glass armonica I believe, invented like you said by Ben Franklin before the more common 'mouth organ' or harmonica.
-- discontinuuity, Jul 29 2005


Not a mechanical instrument, but there used to be a manual version in the Castle Museum, York. Any tykes know if it is still there?
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jul 29 2005



random, halfbakery