It is generally played in a seated position by a soloist and either bowed or drummed, played as a friction or struck idiophone, with movements to affect the water inside. This combines the resonant characteristics of the bowl and rods in combination with the movement of the water.

How do you play a waterphone?

The instrument can be played in a variety of ways: one can apply rosin to the rods and a bow and then use the bow to create sound, or apply rosin only to the rods and use damp hands as a substitute bow, or drum the Waterphone by covering the aperture and tapping the bottom and top of the instrument simultaneously.

How is the waterphone made?

Waterphone is a peculiar instrument that consists of stainless steel wide bowls that have bronze rods attached to the sides of the bowl. These are then filled with water and create the sound by playing on the rods, whether you use a bow, a mallet, or pick them with your fingers.