Pocket Crystallophone

The pocket crystallophone was a musical instrument created in the early 22nd century. Also called a pocket harp or slider, the device at first appears to be a smooth stone with several parallel ridges, which respond to the touch by emitting eerie, clear tones like a glass harmonica. Technically, however, it works more similarly to a theremin in responding to the player's manipulation, but that input is used to resonate tiny glass chimes within and amplifies the resulting sound.

One of several instruments invented by experimental musicians in, which was going through a musical renaissance at the time, the earliest definite example was designed by Beau Flowers, great-grandson of The Killers’ lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. Despite its small size, a crystallophone is capable of producing highly complex melodies in the hands of a skilled player, both of which were factors contributing to its popularity with spacers running through the Sol system. "The Ballad of Saint Elisa" was first written with the pocket harp in mind.

Notes and References

 * Inspired by the image, which appeared in an episode of Doctor Who.