Banned Odd Musical Instrument “Causes Insanity”
The glass armonica’s ghostly notes will cause insanity in its musicians and listeners! At least this is what was thought to be true in the 18th century. People were frightened by the armonica’s sound due to it’s strange interactions with the human brain and ears (more on this later). Benjamin Franklin invented the glass armonica (above) in 1761 after being profoundly moved by the sounds of the glass harp (below).
The glass armonica’s ethereal notes were said to cause insanity, depression, and marital problems. Via Wikipedia:
One example of fear from playing the glass harmonica was noted by a German musicologist Friedrich Rochlitz in Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung where it is stated that “the armonica 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.
The glass armonica’s sound is perceived by human ears differently than other instruments because its range is between 1,000 and 4,000 hertz. When sounds are below 4,000 hertz, the human brain compares “phase differences” between the left and right ears to triangulate the origin of the sound rather than comparing volumes. This causes hearing disorientation and a “not quite sure” feeling about where the sound is coming from. The video below is “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from the Nutcracker being played on a glass armonica. Relax and enjoy.
Friction instruments of this type are called friction idiophones. The glass armonica is called a crystallophone while the glass harp is called a hydrocrystalophone. For more beautiful Glass Armonica music, check out this CD/DVD set: The Glass Armonica.
Source: Wikipedia, The Bakken Library
I have read that the vibrations caused a type of arthritis in the musician
listening to that made a shiver go up my spine and i can earr it going through my head. as for the insanity, maybe we dont go insane because our hearing is more advanced and more used to hearing higher tones i.e tv frequencys but to be honest i dont really know, just a thought
What on earth is with the lead paint theory? Let me debunk it.
Firstly, There is the assumption that all these instruments had lead paint on them. Secondly lead poisoning is caused by ingestion (or in rare cases inhalation of lead dust). It is not caused by absorption through the skin (thus it is perfectly safe to handle a lead sinker). Also, lead poisoning does cause some behavioral issues such as wristdrop, irritability, hyperactivity or lethargy, insomnia and lower IQ and behavioral problems in children. However it does not cause adults to become insane. The only time it can cause insanity is when children are exposed to high levels of lead when they are in the womb and then they can develop schizophrenia.
Exposure to mercury is what caused mad hatters people (they would rub it on felt hats to make them shiny). Where did the lead theory come from? Where? I have never heard anyone say that before now.
Sorry about the rant.
It was lead poisoning. They have already had autopsies done that prove it.
Sean, next time I see you I am going to punch you in the face.
One thing to take into account here, is that part of the ‘insanity’ thing can be played through the speakers.
Close your eyes try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from.
It’s ‘hard’ to do- if one doesn’t know where the speakers are.
…please tell me you’re kidding
EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!
Thanks! What an interesting instrument!
different instrument, thanks for sharing
Pancakes!
Dear God! What madness have you unleashed upon the world you sick bastard?!
The lead in lead crystal is so embedded in the glass that it will never leach into the skin no matter how long you rub on it. Lead in paint does not come off in your hands when being rubbed. Did anyone notice that the lines on the bowls were markings similar to the markings of a keyboard and he was playing by touching the rim of the bowl, not the stripe. Besides, in 18th century, everything would cause mental problems. Glass would probably be one of the safest things out there at that time.
You should check the cristal organ too :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RcGXkhtTCQ
owned by Steve Shehan.
As he explains in the above video, he was looking for a kind of instrument similar to the other glassophones he had seen or heard.
Sincerely
DJM
I think it sounds really pretty… I quite like it. :3
this is beautiful.
you are only as (in)sane as you believe yourself to be.
hmm, my electronic keyboard has a Glass Harmonica setting…
it’s probably nothing like the real thing though.
How much and where can I get it?
This is a joke right?