glass harmonica

noun

1. a musical instrument composed of a set of graduated, revolving glass bowls, the rims of which are moistened and set in vibration by friction from the fingertips.

glass harmonica

noun

1. a musical instrument of the 18th century consisting of a set of glass bowls of graduated pitches, played by rubbing the fingers over the moistened rims or by a keyboard mechanism Sometimes shortened toharmonica Also calledmusical glasses

Word History and Origins

Origin of glass harmonica¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

She sings her mad scene, replete with the otherworldly glass harmonica rather than the more usual flute, in what appears to be a narcotic fog rather than madness.

From Los Angeles Times

Mariko Anraku’s harp and Friedrich Heinrich Kern’s turn on the glass harmonica were especially beautiful, the warble of the latter capturing the wobble of Lucia’s wits.

From Washington Post

And while she sings that scene with utter poise, accompanied by a spectral glass harmonica, Stone plops right into Grand Guignol mode, with Lucia’s wedding dress so drenched in red that — coupled with her staring creepily at the camera once it’s over — you can’t help but think of cheap slasher films.

From New York Times

He refused to patent any of his inventions — which also include a superior sort of stove, bifocals and the glass harmonica, an instrument for which both Mozart and Beethoven would compose — because “as we enjoy great advantages from the invention of others, we should be glad of the opportunity to serve others by an invention of ours, and this we should do generously and freely.”

From Los Angeles Times

His father, Andrey, is a renowned film-maker, whose 1968 film The Glass Harmonica became the first animated movie to be banned in the USSR.

From The Guardian