How the telharmonium makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the telharmonium belongs to the electrophones: sound is produced or shaped electronically – synthesizers, the theremin and electric organs.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The Telharmonium (also known as the Dynamophone) was an early electrical organ, developed by Thaddeus Cahill c. 1896 and patented in 1897. The electrical signal from the Telharmonium was transmitted over wires; it was heard on the receiving end by means of "horn" speakers.
Like the later Hammond organ, the Telharmonium used tonewheels to generate musical sounds as electrical signals by additive synthesis. It is considered to be the first electromechanical musical instrument.
Other electrophones
Frequently asked questions
What does a telharmonium sound like?
As one of the electrophones, its sound comes from the way sound is produced or shaped electronically.
What type of instrument is the telharmonium?
It is classified as electrophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 52).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q133506 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Telharmonium – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by User Chris 73 on en.wikipedia – Public domain