"I have always been intrigued by waterphones and when I came across the Hyperstellar Sailophone, I knew I had something very special to play. The expanse of sound, resonance and vibration is incredible. There seems to be a never-ending exploration of sound creation when playing this instrument – the possibilities and applications are enormous."
- Evelyn Glennie
"I have a few different waterphones from a fantastic craftsman from Poland, Janus Slawek. The waterphone is an instrument you play with a bow. You can put some water in it, and then by moving it while you play with a bow, you can create some very interesting Doppler effects. So I use that a lot. I have a few."
- Jean-Michel Jarre interview in Sound On Sound magazine, Nov 2022 issue. Read the article at soundonsound.com
Now you can play the waterphone on your PC/Mac computer. It is available as VSTi/ AU plugin or standalone application.
The Waterphone is an extraordinary musical instrument that offers a unique playing experience, allowing for both bowing and percussive techniques with a mallet. Crafted from stainless steel with brass rods, its distinctive sound is influenced by the water contained within, which ripples and moves to affect the sound production. The resonance intricacies within waterphones are remarkably complex, making playing it a blend of simplicity in expression yet complexity in operation. Often likened to a vibration machine, the Waterphone's sound lingers and reverberates within its coherent system of metal, air, and water, creating a mesmerizing auditory experience. Richard Waters. is credited as the inventor of this remarkable musical device, and I hold immense respect for his beautiful craftsmanship and innovation.
There is a historical background of waterphone instruments on Wikipedia.
You can play the waterphone by using the bow or treat it like a percussion instrument using a soft mallet. You can softly strike the metal rods or the bottom plate. In my opinion the greatest potential of my precisely tuned waterphones is released by using the bow.
You can use any bow. For the violin, cello or double bass. All theese work and it's up to you and you preferences. I use the cello bow and double bass rosin for the winter time (it is more sticky).
Every rod has several harmonic frequencies that it can produce. In the lower part of the rod there is the higher sound, slightly below the middle of the rod there is the middle sound and in the upper part there is bass sound (On longer rods, this bass note becomes so low that it is no longer audible). When we consider the longer rod there is more playable sounds, up to five. Beyond the bow placement on the rod there are other factors such as total energy and speed of 1the bow / bow pressure ratio. Theese also decide about the resulting sound. When you learn how to put a lot of energy into the resonant rod, the magic will happen. There is a small amount of water in the waterphone, typically ranging from 20 to 200 ml, depending on the desired sound effect. By tilting or moving the instrument, you can manipulate the water inside to affect the sound and "bend" the pitch. The specified amount of water is for achieving a more classical waterphone sound, but you can add as much water as you want and even partially submerge the entire waterphone in water for a variety of sonic textures. Additionally, there is plenty of potential in playing the "dry" waterphone, where the bottom plate resonates completely loose, offering alternative resonance characteristics.
My name is Sławek Janus. I've been crafting musical instruments for quite some time, at least from my perspective. I'm also a multi-instrumentalist and software developer. As a child, I enjoyed experimenting with the intricate sounds of various metal objects. Growing up next to my grandfather's metal workshop provided me with access to a diverse array of fascinating items. My grandfather, an inventor dedicated to his work, developed numerous types of engines and improvements entirely on his own.
One particular incident stands out in my memory: a toy of mine fell to the ground, causing the plastic cover to break. Inside, I discovered what I would later call a monolithic steel kalimba. Steel rods were attached to a solid metal disc, and a ball inside struck the rods, producing sounds. It was a significant discovery when I intentionally struck the rods with a nail.
The modified toy sounded much better than the original, but after 30 minutes, I began intentionally altering the sounds by bending the rods, hitting the device with a hammer, and exploring new tones. I was fascinated by the level of control over the sound of this little device. It became my favorite musical toy for a long time
After 30 years, when I discovered Richard Waters` waterphone for the very first time it instantly blew my mind and reminded me the excitement of playing around with my first metal kalimba which was quite similiar to the waterphone. I made a decision to take a challenge and build one by myself. With time, I have developed my own unique style of making and tuning these instruments and this results in` cooperation with many great artists, worldwide.
In recent years, I've had the opportunity to create numerous fascinating instruments. Among them are some very innovative waterphone designs:In recent years, I've had the opportunity to create numerous fascinating instruments. Among them are three very innovative waterphone designs: the Sailophone, the Evelyn Glennie Hyperstellar Waterphone co-designed with Evelyn Glennie, and the special Ultra Hyperstellar Waterphone, crafted for Jean-Michel Jarre
The Sailophone features uniquely bent rods that resemble sails, contributing to its distinct timbre and character. The journey from concept to reality has been truly inspiring, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. The Evelyn Glennie Hyperstellar Waterphone was born from a collaboration with the incredible @dameevelynglennie, who approached me with the concept of a double-chambered waterphone. After careful analysis of her idea and initial sketches, I made a series of decisions regarding its shape and proportions, prioritizing the pursuit of optimal sound quality while considering various factors. The transition from prototype to completion was challenging, as venturing into uncharted territory often is. However, the end result more than justified the effort. Its deep bass frequencies resonate profoundly, and its overall resonance is unmatched. To truly appreciate its enchanting qualities, one must experience it firsthand. The special Ultra Hyperstellar Waterphone and Interstellar Vibra Waterphone, crafted for Jean-Michel Jarre , are tailored to the specific preferences and artistic vision of one of the most recognizable musicians on earth. I invite you to explore my instruments and the unique sounds they produce.