A Musical Instrument Without a Name - Neatorama

For this brief video, a mouthpiece and vinyl tubing have been combined to illustrate some basic principles regarding the generation of musical notes. It reminds me of the unusual musical creations of Gerard Hoffnung, who commissioned the "Grand, Grand Overture" by Malcolm Arnold (scored for three vacuum cleaners and an electric floor polisher). One instrument Hoffnung devised was the "hosepipe" - a mouthpiece attached to a garden hose.

And a hat tip to Yucatanstan [nice name!] for identifying the instructor as Dr. John Winkler, Professor of Trumpet at West Virginia University's College of Creative Arts.

Via Arbroath.

Comments (12)

I clearly remember this person coming to my elementary school and giving us a talk about music. Besides showing off his garden hose instrument, he played us one of the lowest notes you're able to play on a wind instrument. But, being as that ways years ago (and that I probably never bothered to learn his name at the time) I don't know who he is.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Looks like a Hosaphone. http://hosaphone.com/

Which I coincidentally wrote about recently. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/52304

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Is this the principle utilized by Joseph Pujol?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_P%C3%A9tomane

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Not totally sure of the name, but I am pretty certain it is an old instrument, possibly baroque, developed by P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742)when he lived in Wein Am Rhine, Germany.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Too bad we didn't pose this as a "What is it?" Dave H is looking for a prize for the most humorous guess.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

I was being serious.
Check out this website:

http://www.schickele.com/

But, I would not say no to a T shirt

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

That's cool! I used to do the same thing when I worked at a hardware store..though mine didn't sound as pretty. ;-)

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

This is a tool I use frequently with my brass pupils when I'm teaching about the harmonic series and natural brass instruments! A lot of people stick a funnel in the end to make it look more like a real instrument, but that's optional! Mine is clear tubing my mother got me from the hospital... I don't care to know what it was used for; most people however, use a plain old garden hose!

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

"The funnel makes it louder" implies amplification, which isn't strictly true. The funnel helps match the impedance of the tube with that of the surrounding air, resulting in a more efficient transfer of energy. It's how old phonographs got so much sound from a vibrating needle - impedance matching.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Their going to start using these ghetto instruments in Detroit schools

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

@Dave H - I am SO glad you referenced P.D.Q. Bach. I only clicked into the article to see if anyone did! :-) My high school choir performed The Seasonings...so fun!

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Thats John Winkler, professor of trumpet at West Virginia University.

Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)

Login to comment.

Click here to access all of this post's 12 comments

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.