Flex-A-Tone

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Instrument Name

Etymology and Alternative Spellings

Ger. - flexaton; It. - flessatono
Alternative English Spellings:
Flexatone
Flexitone

Construction

Small sheet of spring steel in a frame with wooden strikers mounted on either side. The beaters or made of wood and are mounted on thin, spring steel. All of the components are attached to a thing wire frame.

Technique

The player can hold the instrument in one hand and shake the beaters while bending the metal plate in order to bend the pitch.
For more articulate and rhythmic passages one can hold the instrument in one hand while pushing the two beaters away from the metal plate with the fingers. The player can use an articulate mallet in the other hand to strike the metal plate.

Extended Technique

The performer can hold the instrument in one hand and separate the two beaters from the metal plate with the fingers. Using a violin, cello, or bass bow, the performer can bow the metal plate while bending the pitch.