The Hyperstellar Sailophone is a unique variation of the waterphone, featuring rods shaped into a geometric form resembling a sail. This bending technique allows the rods to be longer while maintaining the instrument’s overall height, enriching the Sailophone with deep, resonant bass harmonics. Additionally, this design enhances the tuning of the second and third harmonics on each bent rod, resulting in a more pleasant and harmonious sound.

About Tuning

While you can play several harmonics on each rod, a straight-rod waterphone only allows for one in-tune harmonic per rod. I tune that first harmonic, and the others shift naturally. In contrast, the curved-rod Sailophone features two in-tune harmonics on many of its rods, sometimes even three. The Sailophone’s curvature is not just sculptural, its unique shape brings the other harmonics closer to the first one for superior tuning.

The Sailophone was played by Matthew Howard in a brilliant percussion concerto called ‘Naru’, which was composed by Joseph Pereira and premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Amazing Dame Evelyn Glennie also has one Hyperstellar Sailophone in her magnificent collection. 

Diameter : 40cm
Number of rods : 24
Height : 45cm
Weight :2,4 kg