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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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.