Professor Steve Mann’s hydraulophone, an instrument that combines music and water, is one of the nominees for people’s design award at the Smithsonian Institution’s design museum, the Renwick Gallery. Steve Mann is a professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at U of T.
Mann’s hydraulophone, a revolutionary new musical instrument, makes music out of water by combining the simplicity of the piano with the interface of the tin flute or recorder.
It is easy for anyone to play by placing one’s fingers over the flute-like finger holes. Part flute, part water piano/pipe-organ, this patented technology is fun and easy to play. FUNtain, the inventors of hydraulophones, have always dreamed of the musical possibilities of water and sought to fill a gap in the evolution of musical instruments. The hydraulophone allows you to actually "play'' water -- to create music from the whimsical to the sophisticated.
The patented hydraulophone technology combines the simplicity of the piano with the interface of the tin flute or recorder. You play the hydraulophone by stopping the jets of water with your fingers or hands. By blocking multiple jets you can even play chords. Small hydraulophones can float freely in the water, so you can play your favorite songs while you bask in the pool. Larger Poseidophones can be installed in or near any wading pool or can exist as its own separate "splash pad'' water-play area.
For more information go to: http://funtain.ca/hydraulophone/index.html