Flex-A-Tone

File:Instrumentname.jpg

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 thin wire frame.

Technique

The performer can hold the instrument in one hand with the palm wrapped around the wire frame and the thumb on the metal tongue/plate. The instrument can be shaken with a trembling motion moving the beaters back and forth against the metal plate. This is done while bending the metal plate with the thumb 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 performer 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.