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Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
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Author:  Casey Cochran [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
A friend on facebook requested ideas for an assignment to build an instrument for their middle-schooler, and I suggested a tongue drum. After a little surfing, I learned that Padauk is the preferred wood for these, and I happened to have a piece in the shop. A few hours later, I had a gift for my son's upcoming birthday.
Author:  Casey Cochran [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
Image
Author:  Casey Cochran [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
Filippo, I saved the dust for you. What's your address?
Author:  ZekeM [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
Tell me more. Never heard of such things. I'm intrigued.
Author:  Casey Cochran [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
Zeke, it's one of the oldest known instruments. Apparently, the type of wood used for the sides and bottom is not very important. I used red oak for this one. I traced the pattern off of my computer screen at the end of this video (yeah, real precise, huh?). I then used an overhead projector to transfer the image to the drum. They can be tuned by shaping or thinning the tongues. I have tried a little bit with this one, but I seem to be going backwards. Anyone have any tuning tips?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6VXcmQEYj0
Author:  Robert Renick [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
The youtube is from this guy who sells plans with the info on tuning. I was planning on ordering these this week.
http://www.tonguedrum.com/construction.html
Looking to make a matching instrument for the middle schoolers I work with. I have been making kalimbas with them.
www.kalimbakit.com
Custom guitars are great, but these gateway instruments are needed to create the next generation of guitar buyers.
Rob
Author:  Eric Reid [ Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Quick and easy (compared to a guitar) instrument
Broadly, you can lower the pitch of each tongue by thinning it near it's base. You can raise the pitch by thinning it at the tip.

For great information on tongue drums, and dozens of other easy to make musical instruments, this book is gold:http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Instrument-Design-Practical-Information/dp/1884365086
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