Hydraulophone: Water spray jet as music controller

The hydraulophone is an acoustic instrument played by covering up water spray jets to play music. Acoustic hydraulophones are often fitted with underwater microphones (hydrophones) and some are also fitted with a MIDI interface, so that water spray jets can be used as controllers. The main fountain out in front of the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto is a hydraulophone.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music
• sound
• water
• conrol
• interface
• physical
• hydraulophone
• spray
• jets
• fountain
• funtain
• science

[wendy191]

can anyone kindly explain the physics principal how hydraulophones works?

[hydraulist]

Interfering with the flow of water out one or more of the holes forces it elsewhere inside the instrument to make sound. Actually all of the notes are always sounding a little bit, but changes in the resistance the water meets cause it to go elsewhere inside the instrument. Water, being a relatively non-compressible fluid, tends to give you a good range of musical expression even if the sounding mechanism is an inch or so away from where your finger is touching the water.

[eugenetswong]

@hydraulist So, for the 1 in front of the science centre, when you cover a hole, the water goes elsewhere. Does the water cause a thing to vibrate, like air causes an oboe reed to vibrate, or is it like a flute, in that the water vibrates, or what?

Sorry for asking, but I just don't get it. I read a few descriptions and the Wikipedia entry, but I don't understand still.

[kratanuva725]

Sounds like triangle waves, haha.

[CpnCommadoorColonel]

Whoa! O_ O

[rawritssami]

i don't understand where i would fine one. o_o

[eufralover]

cool

[biglumux]

que delicioso oir musica con agua... aqui nunca llueveeeeeeee

[sabin10]

sweeeet!!! I have to go to the science centre this summer. Only 10 minutes from my parents place :D

I'll have to show my mom this since she is a piano player.

[zer0odegrees]

is the hydraulophone played like the piano bc i can't see how a first time person know how to play it...

but this is wonderful, very cool

[brandonctl]

whoa amazing

i have that digital camera too

it's quite handy.

[jimmyjazz420]

so whos recording you recording buddy playing Pachel?