Poseidophones and Hydraulophones: Waterpipe Organflute Musical Sculpture

The hydraulophone or poseidophone combines the simplicity of the piano with the interface of the tin flute or recorder. You play the hydraulophone by stopping the jets of water with your fingers or hands. By blocking multiple jets you can even play chords. Small hydraulophones like nessie can float freely in the water, so you can play your favorite songes while you bask in the pool. Larger Poseidophones can be installed in or near any wading pool or can exist as its own separate ``splash pad'' waterplay area.

Starting from the left side of the hydraulophone Each jet corresponds to a note on the musical scale starting at ``A'', and moving through the musical alphabet, where each jet can be labeled as ``A, B, C, D, E, F, G, a, b, c, d, etc.''.

As people run their hands over the jets, a natural minor scale is played on the whole notes from ``A'' to ``a'' leading to melodies such as ``The Ants Go Marching'' or ``Summertime''. Starting on the jet ``C'' gives us the major scale from ``C'' to ``c'', and leads to songs like ``The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Round and 'Round''. Starting on jet ``D'' gives us the Dorian mode in which many traditional folk songs such as ``What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor'' are played. Starting with jet ``E'' gives us the Phrygian mode (whole note jets ``E'' to ``e'') of flamenco music.

Nessie, the small fun and portable FUNtain, is now ready for the retail market and a limited number will be available for purchase this summer. Contact us for more information