Tapping Out Melodies on a Hardcover Book

Music Workshop
Tapping Out Melodies on a Hardcover Book


ITP resident researcher and sound artist Nick Yulman has expanded his Bricolo modular music system to now include melodies. By triggering a solenoid in rapid succession (on the order of microseconds) he can vary its frequency in such a way that the book cover it strikes emits tonal sounds. The result turns an object that would normally be percussive into one that plays melodies.

Nick’s solenoid is controlled with Arduino through MIDI. Although any rugged object would work, the hardcover book is interesting in that the timbre can be changed by flipping the book to different pages. Now you can rock the wah-wah on War and Peace.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

View more articles by Michael Colombo

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK