PERIODIC SNIP FLUTE
This is one in my series of semi-self-playing instruments. Semi-self-players are instruments that, having been set in motion, will continue on their own for some time, leaving the player free to pick up other instruments to layer into the music. In this one, an air compressor feeds three flutes. Each of the tubes leading from compressor to flute passes through its own on-off valve controlled by a bouncing, weighted arm. The flute toot-toots according to the bouncing speed. The flute pipes are made of lightweight plastic tubing, and the player occasionally uses scissors to snip the tubes shorter, changing the pitches of the flute toots.
In the sound clip the snip flute is joined by a rattled rumba box and a pair of floating zithers.