Flexatone

A flex-a-tone is a modern percussion instrument (an indirectly struck idiophone) consisting of a small flexible metal sheet suspended in a wire frame ending in a handle. A wooden knob mounted on a strip of spring steel lies on each side of the metal sheet. The player shakes the instrument with a trembling movement which causes the beaters to strike the sides of the metal sheet. While shaking the handle,the musician makes a high or low-pitched sound due to the curve given to the blade by the pressure from his thumb. A tremolo is thus produced.

An invention for a flexatone occurs in the British Patent Records of 1922 and 1923. In 1924 the 'Flex-a-tone' was patented in the USA by the Playatone Company of New York, at 113-119 Fourth Ave., New York City. This website has no affiliation with the Playatone Company.

The flexatone, also known as fleximetal, is a percussion instrument that consists of a flexible metal sheet suspended in a wire. This instrument has a thin and small metal sheet fastened from one end to the other. The metal plate of the flexatone is hit alternatively on each side by wooden or rubber beaters or balls that are attached to a clock spring. It produces a tremolo effect as well as a glissando effect, depending on the thumb pressure.