Gravatone in use

Ella Val

Gravatone Poster

Ella Val

Gravatone Project

Ella Val and Evan Johnston
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Evan: 

Gravatone:A percussive musical instrument that capitalizes on the effects  of micro-gravity, allowing astronauts to make music in a new way.

Currently, music in space  is played on instruments that were constructed for earth, an environment with gravity. The gravatone creates a musical experience which requires a micro-gravity environment to function. the gravatone is a spherical object with keys located around the inside surface. A magnet is used to pull ball bearings towards the keys. The balls hit the key, producing a note in F# scale. This instrument only works in micro gravity as gravity will not allow the ball bearings to free float inside. This instrument will provide astronauts a unique opportunity for new ways of experiencing music.


Ella:

Gravatone: A zero gravity instrument designed to develop music culture in outer space. 

Throughout all content, countries, and regions there is a universal language of music. Although each part of the world has a distinct musical sound and traditions, music is a form of expression that connects humanity and spreads joy. One place where music hasn’t fully developed is in outer space. The Gravatone is an instrument designed specifically for the environment of outer space and zero gravity. The Gravatone is a polyhedron shaped instrument, that has a set number of tuned metal pieces. The instrument is struck with rubber covered magnetic marbles which creates its unique sound. Similar to instruments from all around the world the Gravatone includes characteristics unique to outer space. The instrument works by placing it somewhere in the air and then by using the handheld magnet to guide the magnetic marbles to each metal bar which plays a note. 

The inspiration for this instrument was glockenspiel, more specifically a metallophone. Unlike most glockenspiels, this instrumental only contains the notes of an F# Lydian scale. In music, there are different scales played in order to achieve different sounds. The Lydian scale is a musical mode that has a distinctive sci-fi ambiance making it perfect for space culture. This instrument can also be played simultaneously with other musicians using another handheld magnet. The Gravatone is made for all musicians who want to experience extraterrestrial music culture. The hope is that this instrument will inspire and further develop the future society in outer space.