glass harmonica
Wet-fingered instrument
A glass harmonica is a musical instrument consisting of graduated glass bowls or discs mounted on a rotating spindle, played by touching wet fingers to the spinning glass to produce ethereal, singing tones.
Invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761, it was popular in the late 18th century: Mozart and Beethoven both composed for the glass harmonica.
Surname or locality
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
- EnlightenmentEra prioritizing reason over dogma
- inventionNew device or method
- patentObvious; inventor's monopoly
Mozart · Beethoven · mesmerism · colonial · antique · artifact · museum · restoration
Deep rounded containers
- cylindersCircular-based solid shapes
- rotatingTurning on an axis
- spindleRotating rod for thread
- tunedSet to correct pitch
nested · water · friction · treadle · mechanism · crystal · foot pedal · graduated
Disturbingly unforgettable
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- celestialOf the sky above
- ghostlyResembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
luminous · delicate · crystalline · shimmering · angelic · transcendent · hypnotic · dreamlike
In short supply
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- obscureUnknown to most
- esotericAccessible to few
- curiosityDesire to learn
collectible · specialized · niche · forgotten · revived · rediscovered · unique · exotic
Array of input keys
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- recitalSolo musical performance
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
solo · accompaniment · technique · vibrato · sustain · legato · dynamics · expression
Franklin
Surname or locality
- 18th centuryYears 1701-1800
- EnlightenmentEra prioritizing reason over dogma
- inventionNew device or method
patent · Mozart · Beethoven · mesmerism · colonial · antique · artifact · museum · restoration · replica
bowls
Deep rounded containers
tuned · nested · water · friction · treadle · mechanism · crystal · foot pedal · graduated · concentric
haunting
Disturbingly unforgettable
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- celestialOf the sky above
- ghostlyResembling a specter
spectral · luminous · delicate · crystalline · shimmering · angelic · transcendent · hypnotic · dreamlike · mesmerizing
scarce
In short supply
curiosity · collectible · specialized · niche · forgotten · revived · rediscovered · unique · exotic · sought-after
keyboard
Array of input keys
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- recitalSolo musical performance
chamber music · solo · accompaniment · technique · vibrato · sustain · legato · dynamics · expression · repertoire
glass harmonicadrum
Struck percussion cylinder
bass drum · timpani · snare drum · cymbals · gong
glass harmonicabass drum
Large mallet-struck cylinder
cannon · anvil · electric guitar · distortion pedal · jackhammer
glass, harmony, glasses, glassy, harmonious, harmonica, glassware, harmonic, glazing