boring technical details

The first G chromophones (pictured right) were develped in Fall 2017. Since then, improvements have been made. The newer ones have nice looking black tapered pvc couplings for a collar. The mouthpieces have been skinnied down a bit to make a better fit between the lips. The lower half has been given a concave curvature and the sides are more narrowed. The size of the airway has also been decreased so that less air is require to make a tone. This allows the playing of longer more sustained,notes and louder, clearer tones

The original instrument had a range of 2 octaves from G4 to G6. To make a smaller version, I switched to half inch diameter tubing and ended up with one that plays from Bb4 to Bb6, if you blow hard enough on it. Of course, that made me wonder if a longer lower instrument might be even easier to play than the G chromophone. and the E instrument I ended up with played from E4 to E6 with ease, with a scattering of notes above that becoming possible. It also seems to have the fullest, most beautiful tone of all!

The original instrument had a range of 2 octaves from G4 to G6. Next came the smaller version using half inch diameter tubing and a range going from Bb4 to Bb6, assuming you can blow hard enough on it. Of course, that made me wonder if a longer instrument might be even easier to play than the G chromophone. and the resulting E instrument could play E4 to E6 with ease. A scattering of notes above that also becoming possible. The E chromopohone seems to have the fullest, most beautiful tone of all!

improvements to THE TUNING

It seemed like a good idea to have a design that allowed for players to make tuning adjustments, by pushing or pulling the mouthpiece and whistle body closer or further apart to sharpen or flatten the sound, but not having both parts of the instrument fully seated in the collar introduces a change in the diameter of the bore there. The effect of this diameter increase is a noticable flattening of the natural overtone sequence. When the bore of the chromophone is not constant for the entire length of the tube, it becomes necessary to use various cross fingerings to keep it more or less in tune over its full range, By having both parts of the chromophone's tube fully seated in the collar, or by eliminating the collar altogether, this problem is solved and the fingerings become significantly easier. There are now only two simple cross fingerings in the lower register, and none in the upper registers. Care is taken to produce an instrument that will be well tuned at most normal room temperatures, from 70° to 80° F. (roughly 21° to 26° C.) Because the speed of sound varies with temperature, all wind instruments will play sharper when the temperature rises, and flatter in the cold. In hot environments, the tubes can still be pulled apart to lower the pitch. They are not glued in place, though they can be be very tight and difficult to lossen up. This may not affect all note equally, so if someone was expecting to play most of the time in a hotter climate, The mouthpiece could be replace with a longer one so the instrument would be well tuned at 80° to 90°F. A shorter mouthpiece would have to be used when the air was colder. Some players might desire one or more additional mouthpieces to use in different conditions. I can make them on request for about $10 or a $5 add-on if ordered with an instrument.

This illustrates the hidden problem that was affecting the tuning of the first chromophones.

Closing the gap makes the inner bore diameter consistent. The tuning is greatly improved.

hole placement

Chromophones have nine holes. Eight are on the top side of the tube, and a thumb hole is on the bottom. Every effort has gone into making the holes conform with the natural position of the human hand to eliminate any undue strain or difficulty in reaching and covering them with the flat pads just befoe the fingetips. The grip known as the pipers grip, should not be necessary. Putting the fingers too far over the holes can result in air leaks and failed notes. The holes are not in a straight line as on more traditional whistle because nine holes in a straight line would make a nearly unplayable instrument. The pinky finger holes are intentionally offset to conform to the natuaral place it comes to rest, more to the side. It is easy to see the hole hole arrangement on the white E chromophone pictured above. Care has been taken so that all the holes are neither too close, nor too far apart, to reach comfortably and easily.

Tube diameters

G chromophones are made from 3/4 inch diameter schedule 40 pvc pipes. It is about 2.5 mm thick, which makes it easy to to form the indentatiions around the holes. The E chromophones also use 3/4 diameter pvc, but it is thinner walled, so indenting the holes is not a good idea. The holes are well positioned and easily felt by the fingers, because of their slightly larger size. The Bb chromophones are made using 1/2 inch diameter schedule 40 pvc. It is thick enough for indentations, but the smaller, closer holes don't really benefit playability very much, but are available as an option for anyone who wants them.

future chromophones?

I am always thinking about ways to improve or create new types of instruments. Metal or wooden chromophoness would be something interesting to try my hand at. A larger lower version of the chromophone is something I would like attempt, to see if an instrument capable of three octaves is possible. Low D or Low C chromophones might be able to achieve an expanded range because more overtones become available as longer tubes are used. I will also be experimenting with reed instruments and possibly even a type of glockenspiel. If you would like to know about future developments, just sent me a message asking to be placed on my mailing list, using the form on the contact page.