The glass harp: “The sound of heaven.”
Jamey Turner · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1991
This presentation will consist of three parts: (1) A musical performance on the glass harp will demonstrate the incredible beauty of this instrument, which the author has played on all the national television networks and with many symphony orchestras. Music written for several kinds of glass instruments played by rubbing will be performed, including some by Mozart and Beethoven. Glasses will be distributed for audience participation on one selection. (2) A short historical discussion will be given of the rich legacy of glass instruments and music spanning three centuries, with roots that go back over 2000 years to glass instruments tapped rather than rubbed. (The author was privileged to examine the original glass harmonica invented by Ben Franklin.) (3) The making of the glass harp will be discussed, with emphasis on selecting the glasses, the water, the table, and other elements that are important to the quality of the sound.