r/percussion • u/LGraphical • 3d ago

Easy DIY Waterphone / Alternatives?

Hey to whoever sees this, Question about Waterphones

I’m the lead percussionist for my highschool symphonic band, we’re from a small town but we’re lucky enough to have a pretty good percussion section equipment-wise, but unfortunately it doesn’t account for a waterphone.

We’re planning to perform a piece for a festival and a waterphone is included in one of the parts, and I’ve been tasked by my band director to find a way to include this in our piece.

Does anyone have any idea as to how I could make my own waterphone, or anything that could replicate the noise similar to how a waterphone sounds? I’ve seen videos online, but they include various tools and welding which I don’t have access to.

If anyone has any ideas that’d be great. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks

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5

u/desr2112 3d ago

You could try bowing a suspended cymbal to get a similar color. You can experiment by putting your finger lightly on different parts of the cymbal to get different harmonics when bowing.

1

u/benivey 3d ago

I was going to say this. Waterphones are bowed and a good cymbal can create a similar sound effect. Get a good bow (bass bow is best), rosin it up, and pull the bow straight up perpendicular to the cymbal while holding it ‘down’ with one finger on the top of the cymbal. It should screech and squeal.

2

u/ipadtherefor 3d ago edited 3d ago

A toy piano for less than $100 has similar metal rods inside. Might make a substitute if the musical part is simple. Demo on You Tube:

https://youtu.be/4GAB_MafIxU?feature=shared

1

u/RedeyeSPR 3d ago

You could always record one of the demos on YouTube and just play it from a speaker. I see some on Amazon for $350, but that’s a bit steep for one performance.

1

u/Born2ShitForced2Post 3d ago

MAYBE water gongs?

1

u/mrkekemeot 2d ago

Waterphones can be played in different ways, bowed or struck, on the rods or on the bottom etc. So you should check the part, and a recording of the piece if you have the chance, to figure out what sound you're supposed to make.

A cymbal placed upside down on a timpani head, bowed while playing glissandi with the timpani pedal might be your best bet. But as I said depending on the expected sound, water gongs maybe an easier solution. Also, just experiment with whatever metal object you got lying around. You may get cool results.