Hydraulophones, Amazing Woodwater Instruments

They are best described as self-cleaning, musical, water-fountain keyboards. Hydraulophones are very similar to woodwinds, but hydraulophones run on incompressible fluid (usually water) rather than compressible fluid (air). Hydraulophones are sometimes called ‘woodwater’ instruments. Hydrolophones have the characteristic of polyphonic embouchure, meaning that the player can dynamically “sculpt” each note by obstructing the holes (mouths) in different ways.

The world’s largest outdoor hydraulophone (above) is located publicly at the Ontario Science Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was created by the Toronto-based inventor-musician-scientist-professor Steve Mann who is credited with inventing the modern hydraulophone. You can read an interview with Steve Mann in Water Shapes Magazine here (pdf). This monster hydraulophone has two keyboards and is powered by three water pumps and three air compressors. This hydraulophone is appropriately nicknamed “Nessie” for her sea-serpent-like qualities.

The Hart House Symphonic Band, of the University of Toronto employs a hydraulophone in their classical performances (below). You can see more pictures by visiting the HHSB website here.

The video below shows a portable hydraulophone being played from a cave pool. The song he is playing is called ‘Hatikvah’ which is Israel’s national anthem.

Sources: Wikipedia, Wearcam.org