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wind machine

{{about|the musical instrument|the wind generator used for skydiving practice|vertical wind tunnel}}

{{distinguish|Fan (machine)}}

File:1920's Stage Wind Machine.webm

File:Ravensburg Konzerthaus Historische Klangerzeuger Windmaschine.jpg, Germany]]

File:Wind Machine.JPG's Sinfonia antartica by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra]]

The wind machine (also called an aeoliphone or aelophon) is a friction idiophone used to produce the sound of wind for orchestral compositions and musical theater productions.{{Cite book |last=Adato |first=Joseph |url= |title=The Percussionist's Dictionary |last2=Judy |first2=George |publisher=Belwin-Mills |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-91095-728-1 |pages=65 |oclc=12096511}}

Construction

The wind machine is constructed of a large cylinder made up of several wooden slats which measures approximately {{Convert|75–80|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter. The cylinder body of the instrument rests upon a stand and is typically covered with silk, canvas, or other material which is in a fixed position. A crank handle, used by the player to rotate the cylinder and create the sound, is attached to the cylinder.{{Cite web |last1=Blades |first1=James |date=2001 |editor-last=Holland |editor-first=James |title=Wind machine |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.30403 |work=Oxford Music Online |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.30403}}

Another method of construction implements an electric fan, which is fitted with lengths of cane, rather than blades. However, this method is less popular because it does not provide the player with the ability to control the speed of rotation.{{Cite journal |last=Bond |first=Ryan |date=August 2022 |title=A Brief History of the Wind Machine |url= |journal=Percussive Notes |volume=60 |issue=4 |pages=44–49}}

Technique

The wind machine is played by rotating the crank handle, which is attached to the cylinder, to create friction between the wooden slats and the material covering that touches the cylinder but does not rotate as the crank handle is turned. This friction between the wood and the material covering creates the sound of rushing wind. The volume and pitch of the sound is controlled by the rate at which the crank is turned. The faster the handle is turned, the higher the resulting pitch and the louder the sound. The slower the handle is turned, the lower the pitch and the softer the volume. The sound of the wind machine can also be controlled by the tightness of the fabric covering the cylinder.{{Cite book |last=Blades |first=James |title=Percussion Instruments and Their History |publisher=Bold Strummer |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-933224-71-1 |edition=Rev. |pages=394–395 |oclc=28230162}}

Classical works that use the instrument

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxW4EWi86TY Demonstration of a Wind Machine] by Dame Evelyn Glennie

{{Percussion instruments}}

Category:Friction idiophones

Category:Sound effects

Category:Special effects