Bach on a glass harp

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

[Bravus]

That's ridiculously cool! What a talent!

[Guest truthseeker007]

Yeah, that s awesome!

[Dr. Shane]

Are those just squeaky clean glasses or does he wash his hands with something that leaves a residue? I follow how different sized glasses with different amounts of water can be tuned to produce various notes and octavos but not sure how he is getting them to sound.

[cricket]

That's science, Shane!

(Seriously though, I don't think there's residue--just clean hands, clean glasses, water and the vibration from the ridges of his fingers running over the glass.)

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

It's really called a "hydrodaktulopsychicharmonica"

[Gail]

It's really called a "hydrodaktulopsychicharmonica"

[aldona]

That's brilliant!

Do a Google search for "glass harmonica." It was an instrument which was popular in the 18th century and based on the principle of rubbing wine glasses with a wet finger. Benjamin Franklin helped develop it, Mozart & Beethoven wrote music for it, and Queen Marie Antoinette of France played one.

There was a common myth that listening to the instrument or playing it would cause you to go mad. Quote from German musicologist Friedrich Rochlitz:

"The harmonica excessively stimulates the nerves, plunges the player into a nagging depression and hence into a dark and melancholy mood that is apt method for slow self-annihilation. If you are suffering from any nervous disorder, you should not play it; if you are not yet ill you should not play it; if you are feeling melancholy you should not play it."

AJ