Sound Vessel

Overview

Type: Sound Vessel / Experimental Instrument / Product Design

Role: Solo Project/Concept, Prototyping, Fabrication

Tools: Plastilina clay, PVC sink tubes, membranes, hand tools

Course: Product Design 1

References: Chinese reed instruments (Hulusi, Sheng) and sound-material studies documented in my research

Sound Vessel is a small experimental sound instrument created by merging household plumbing components with the acoustic principles found in traditional reed instruments.

The result is a playful, absurd, and surprisingly expressive object:

“Blow with your mouth — and the toilet sings.”

Background & Inspiration

This project began with a simple moment: sitting on a toilet, zoning out, caught a pipe leaking. At the same time, I was fascinated by the kazoo, a humble instrument that transforms breath into buzzing resonance. I began wondering:

What if everyday plumbing could behave like an instrument?

What if a pipe could hum, rattle, or sing depending on how you breathe into it?

My research included:

• Hulusi (gourd + reed + resonating chamber)

• Sheng (multi-pipe airflow instrument)

• Rainforest V by David Tudor — amplification through material resonance

Their structures helped me understand chambers, airflow, membrane vibration, and how shape affects timbre.

My Role

As a solo designer, I created every part of the project:

• Concept development

• Materials exploration

• Clay prototyping

• Acoustic experiments

• Structural sketches & diagrams

• Final vessel refinement

Process

1. Plastilina Experiments

To quickly test geometry and airflow, I sculpted multiple clay models exploring how shape, air pathway, and resonating chambers influence tone.

2. Engineering the Sound

Based on my research and clay testing, I built a final hybrid vessel using white plastic sink extension tubes, flexible accordion drain pipe, and various material round sheets.

Airflow travels through the chamber, vibrates the membrane, and exits through the adjustable pipe. Pressing or covering holes changes the length of resonance. Thicker membranes produce lower pitch. Adjusting pipe angle modifies airflow turbulence.

Outcome

The final vessel produces:

• buzzing kazoo-like tones

• warm resonant hums

• gurgling, watery textures

• breath-driven rhythmic pulses

The piece is humorous, tactile, and unexpectedly musical. A physical joke that becomes a real instrument when you play it.