Have you ever been on a hiking trip and stopped only to appreciate the sounds of nature? The wind’s sound, birds chirping, and rain dripping through leaves all combine to make an impressive wild orchestra.
In 2012, Morihiro Harano and his group worked together with carpenter Mitsuo Tsuda, and sound engineer Kenjiro Matsuo, in order to create a giant xylophone elevated throughout the forest.
They created the xylophone in one long straight line and then placed a small rubber ball at the top. They let it fall, slowly plunking throughout the natural scenery.
While the xylophone bels out the notes, you may notice the tune being played. Bach’s famous Cantana 147, with tempos and instrumental subtleties included.
The wooden symphony pierces through the natural silence of the forest. There was not much room for mistakes on this project. Only one incorrectly placed note could easily distort the entire performance.
Shockingly enough, the same day the video was captured a monster earthquake struck Japan. Afterward, the xylophone’s melody brought about a truly calming experience for the nation.
The forest xylophone has now found another home at the Daisetsu Mori-no Garden, Japan’s popular Hokkaido Garden Show.
If you ever visit the forest, you can buy a rubber ball for your own from a vending machine and send it down the xylophone. As the boards can rot, they need to close on rainy days.