Helium and the flute - here's what happens when you inhale and play

19 September 2016, 17:27 | Updated: 6 January 2017, 14:45

A balloon-full of helium and some speedy, nimble flute lines. Let's see what it looks like when we combine the two...

We continue our fascinating tour of Mozart on helium-filled woodwind instruments.

First up was a very bendy Clarinet Concerto >

Next, a melodically unstable Oboe Concerto >

And now finally, the good sports over at The Flute Channel have inhaled their balloons and blasted out 'Rondo alla Turca' from Piano Sonata No. 11 in A, K. 331. Here's what is sounded like:

Helium is lighter than air, so the sound waves travel through it faster, leading to a distortion of the sound. We should point out that doctors do not recommend inhaling helium. In sufficient quantities it can have adverse affects on health and has on occasion caused deaths.  

You can watch the full video over on their YouTube channel.