Glass Harmonica

music · Benjamin Franklin · glass · spinning

Invented by Franklin. Benjamin Franklin, the famous American inventor and founding father, created the glass harmonica in 1761. He wanted to make a new kind of instrument that would create beautiful, ethereal sounds.

Water and friction. The glass harmonica works by rubbing a wet finger on the rim of spinning glass bowls or goblets. The friction between your finger and the glass makes it vibrate and produce musical tones.

Different sized bowls. The glass bowls are graduated in size, meaning each one is a different size from the others. Smaller bowls make higher notes and larger bowls make lower notes, just like the keys on a piano.

Spooky beautiful sound. The glass harmonica produces a sound similar to a glockenspiel, but eerier and more otherworldly. Many people find its haunting, clear tones almost magical to listen to.

Spinning mechanism. The glass bowls sit on a spindle and rotate while you play. This spinning motion helps the sound vibrate through the glass and produces the instrument's unique, shimmering tone.