An armonica is a very special type of crystallophone, a musical instrument that produces sound through the use of glass. This instrument was extremely popular in the 1700s and early 1800s before falling out of favor; in the late twentieth century, several musicians revived the armonica performing various works on it to pique people’s interest. You might be able to hear an armonica performance in your area, especially if you live in a town with a vibrant historical society, and museums often have armonicas on display.
You know what an armonica sounds like if you’ve ever run a wet finger around the rim of a glass. An armonica or glass harmonica, on the other hand, uses a series of nested glass bowls that have been created in very specific sizes to generate the desired tones instead of a single glass. The bowls are mounted on a spindle that is turned an engine or a foot pedal, and the armonica is played dipping the musician’s fingers in water and running them along the glasses.
The armonica has its own distinct sound. Many people describe it as eerie and ethereal, while others find it grating, and it is difficult to duplicate with other instruments. Several composers composed pieces specifically for the armonica, and many other works have been adapted for this fascinating instrument to show off its versatility. Many composers, including Mozart and Donizetti, composed works for the armonica.
The armonica’s origins can be traced back to Venice, the birthplace of European glassblowing. Venetian glassmakers pushed themselves to create extremely delicate and ornate pieces of glassware over time, and fine glassware became highly valued in Europe, as well as very expensive. People first noticed that running wet hands over glassware made a distinct sound in the 1600s, and the 1700s, people were playing wineglasses filled with various amounts of water to achieve the desired pitch.
When Benjamin Franklin heard a performance like this in the 1760s, he was inspired to try to invent a version that was easier to play, and the armonica was born. His invention allows musicians to play up to ten bowls at once, producing a lush, rich sound that can’t be achieved with wineglasses alone. Franklin used his armonica on a regular basis, and the instrument became a fad for a short time, especially in Germany.
The armonica’s demise is difficult to explain. Some claimed that the instrument’s intense sound drove people insane in the 1800s, and historians believe that this contributed to the instrument’s demise. Because the armonica is difficult to transport, it may have been difficult to secure sponsorship for concerts and other events. This instrument, on the other hand, most likely suffered from the fact that it was difficult to amplify. A regular orchestra will overwhelm an armonica, and the sound will be difficult to hear in a large concert hall; armonica performances are best heard up close, and do not lend themselves well to the grand concert halls of the nineteenth century.