Vibratones (or Wah-Wah Tubes)
Vibratones or Wah -Wah tubes are a useful group
of instruments that are available in tuned sets which can be used together to
create an ethereal, ambient piece of music. Similar to a hand chime in
construction, they consist of a circular tube of metal with a slit in one end
and a hole towards the other end. Vibratones present specific challenges to
participants and like all instruments that use beaters they can be tricky to
play conventionally, though these skills may be acquired by some. In spite of this they are useful in a number of ways.
You can use a
tuned set together that automatically produces a pleasing sound.
They can be
used in pairs, with one person holding the instrument and another hitting it or
putting their finger over the hole to make the wah-wah sound
The sound has
a long sustain so you can just play it and enjoy the sound, without the need for a set rhythm
They are good for exploration on a one-to-one basis. Participants might start by dropping beaters inside them, or feeling with their tongue.
They have a vocal quality when they are made to sound ‘wah-wah’ which can be mimicked and is very engaging. Do this by
striking the slit end with a beater while moving a finger back and forth across the hole.
Vibratones are versatile, light and mobile. Try ‘flying’
them over people’s heads to engage them, raise their heads and see whether
they track the sounds.
Vocally mimic the ‘wah-wah’ sounds to encourage vocalising
Allow individuals to explore in their own way
Playing
them all together, with each person playing in their own time, produces an
ambient piece of music with no rhythm
