What instrument would Dr. Seuss play? A Daxophone of course!
By tyler on Sep 15, 2008 in Bands/Musicians, Bowed Instruments, Experimental, Homemade/DIY, Idiophones, Inventions, Wood
Rarely does an instrument’s form match up with it’s sound as perfectly and whimsically as the daxophone’s. Invented by Hans Reichel of Germany, the daxophone is a friction idiophone who’s vibrating mechanism is an oddly but tactically shaped wooden tongue which is attached to a block of wood. The vibrations travel from the vibrating blade to the block where a contact microphone amplifies the sound. The whole concept is similar to plucking a ruler half-way off a table.
The daxophone’s sound can vary widely depending on the tongue used and the method of vibration (e.g. bowed, blowed, boinged, bent, bonked). Different shaped tongues can be used to produce different styles and effects.
Among being a musical instrument inventor, Hans is also a typeset designer. Naturally, he created a typeset of daxophone tongues to deliver his tongue plans.
Listen:
Download
Almost 10 years after the first daxophone-only album
Detailed information and instructions on how to build your own daxophone are available on Hans Reichel’s website, daxo.de.
From: Ryan | Sep 19, 2008 | Reply
Wow - pretty cool. Music instrument aside - those ‘tongues’ are just beautiful. Modern Art!
From: Daniel | Sep 21, 2008 | Reply
alternate forms exist: chopsticks, squeaking wine corks, steel re-bar sticking out of the concrete at one end
From: tyler | Sep 21, 2008 | Reply
An infinite pallet exists.
From: Helena | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
Well, for me at least, that sounds way creepier than the glass armonica.
From: Sergio | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
holy crap, this IS way creepier than the glass harmonica, helena
made me trip · ·
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From: Zak Naranjo Morse | Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Hey Tylor,
Thanks for referring me to your site tonight at the the Cowgirl. This instrument so far is my favorite. Excellent sound, beautifully crafted. I would love to play this. Awesome site!
-Zak
From: David Capps | Nov 27, 2008 | Reply
It kinda’ sounds like Munchkins humming and
farting at the same time! It’s great!