Difference between revisions of "Whirly Tube"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| + | The whirly tube, corrugaphone, or bloogle resonator, also sold as Free-Ka in the 1960s-1970s, is an experimental musical instrument which consists of a corrugated (ribbed) plastic tube or hose (hollow flexible cylinder), open at both ends and possibly wider at one end (bell), the thinner of which is rotated in a circle to play. It may be a few feet long and about a few inches wide. The faster the toy is swung the higher the pitch of the note it produces, and it produces discrete notes in the harmonic series like a valveless brass instrument, but the fundamental and second harmonic are difficult to excite.[1] To be played in concert the length of the tube must be trimmed to tune it. Hornbostel–Sachs number: 412.22, the tube is a whirling (turns on its axis) non-idiophonic (reedless) interruptive free aerophone, but is usually included in the percussion section with sound effects such as chains, clappers, and thunder sheets.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirly_tube</ref> | ||
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== Etymology and Alternative Spellings == <!-- Include alternative spellings, other languages, historical terms. For each name you add, create a new page with a redirect link. ie in the "Pauken" page input: #REDIRECT [[Timpani]] This will redirect a search for "Pauken" to the Timpani page. --> | == Etymology and Alternative Spellings == <!-- Include alternative spellings, other languages, historical terms. For each name you add, create a new page with a redirect link. ie in the "Pauken" page input: #REDIRECT [[Timpani]] This will redirect a search for "Pauken" to the Timpani page. --> | ||
| + | corrugaphone<br> | ||
| + | bloogle resonator<br> | ||
| + | Free-Ka<Br> | ||
| + | |||
== Construction == | == Construction == | ||
| + | I prefer longer sump pump hose found at hardware stores... cut to various lengths. I have made them 8-12 feet long for lower pitches. | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
== Sticks, Mallets, Beaters == | == Sticks, Mallets, Beaters == | ||
== Technique == | == Technique == | ||
| − | + | Spin in a circle in front of body or overhead. With larger tubes, they can be coiled on one end and spun overhead. I have made large ones that I have wrapped over my head and around my torso to maintain control over the longer tube while twirling. | |
| − | + | ||
== Manufacturers == | == Manufacturers == | ||
== Retailers == | == Retailers == | ||
Revision as of 03:35, 23 May 2022
Description
The whirly tube, corrugaphone, or bloogle resonator, also sold as Free-Ka in the 1960s-1970s, is an experimental musical instrument which consists of a corrugated (ribbed) plastic tube or hose (hollow flexible cylinder), open at both ends and possibly wider at one end (bell), the thinner of which is rotated in a circle to play. It may be a few feet long and about a few inches wide. The faster the toy is swung the higher the pitch of the note it produces, and it produces discrete notes in the harmonic series like a valveless brass instrument, but the fundamental and second harmonic are difficult to excite.[1] To be played in concert the length of the tube must be trimmed to tune it. Hornbostel–Sachs number: 412.22, the tube is a whirling (turns on its axis) non-idiophonic (reedless) interruptive free aerophone, but is usually included in the percussion section with sound effects such as chains, clappers, and thunder sheets.[1]
Etymology and Alternative Spellings
corrugaphone
bloogle resonator
Free-Ka
Construction
I prefer longer sump pump hose found at hardware stores... cut to various lengths. I have made them 8-12 feet long for lower pitches.
History
Sticks, Mallets, Beaters
Technique
Spin in a circle in front of body or overhead. With larger tubes, they can be coiled on one end and spun overhead. I have made large ones that I have wrapped over my head and around my torso to maintain control over the longer tube while twirling.
Manufacturers
Retailers
See Also
References