current projects, workshops, sounds
The Invy Horn Jam need a big bass Marimba to March with! What do we do? Talk to Andy Rigby, of course. He had ironed out most of the creases, and more importantly had identified the appropriate pram for the job. A vintage Steelcraft frame is just right. We decided on a scale appropriate for horns (Bb, Eb and C being the concert pitch they most enjoy) and I put it together. It has made appearances at the Inverloch Jazz Festival Parade and the Shearwater Festival in Cowes.
Here is the collection of materials as they will presented to participants at the Marimba making workshop at Arc Yinnar In October.
As the workshop is held over just one weekend, I will cut the pieces to size, leaving only the interesting bits for the workshop participants i.e. tuning the keys and resonating pipes, assembling, final sand and applying finish.
The Keys are made from Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), the frame from recycled Vic Ash (Eucalyptus Regnans) floorboards and the tubes from Aluminium.
I have completed one and placed it at Arc Yinnar for folks to have a play of and a squiz at…..
If you can’t make it to Arc, here is a rough recording of the finished instrument (sound starts at 15 secs). Thanks to Jon Madin for the hot cross parts……
I have been developing the instrument design for the marimba workshop at Arc Yinnar over the last month or two. I drew on my own marimba building experience and furniture design work, as well as many practical ideas from the marimba designs of Jon Madin. The solution for mounting the aluminium tubes was suggested by the supplier in Morwell, Allform Industries.
I have included some sketches showing the process of design
