Music

Take your creations beyond the workshop and onto the stage with diy music instruments! Let us show you how these creations range from simple, basic setups that produce beautiful sounds to more complex projects that require a greater level of engineering knowledge. With these tutorials and examples, we’ll guide you on this journey to make your own musical instrument for experimental, artistic or everyday use – so whether you’re starting out new or a seasoned sound creator, come explore the wonderful world of making your own music.

Maker Birthdays: Harry Partch

Born on this date in 1901, American composer Harry Partch (Wikipedia) made music he wrote himself, in a tonal system he designed himself, on instruments he designed, and built, himself. He is largely responsible for the build-your-own-instruments craze that began in the 70s and continues to influence modern performers like The Blue Man Group and, oh, what’s his name…that cigar-box guitar guy…Mark something? Partch died in 1974, aged 73. American Public Media has a great online gallery of Partch’s instruments, including “virtual” versions you can play yourself in a Flash application.

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Diego Stocco’s “Bassoforte”

Ever since I discovered the composer Harry Partch in the early ’80s, I’ve been fascinated by musicians/composers who build their own instruments. There’s marching to the tune of your own drummer, and then there’s making the drums you march to! Diego Stocco is one of those musicians/sound artists who’s constantly experimenting with finding sound, rhythm, […]

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Self-playing musical instruments

Self-playing musical instruments

These MIDI & Arduino-driven musical instruments — a violin and a glockenspiel(?) — were created by Spanish artist Joan Vallvé as part of Sónar, a music and multimedia festival going on this weekend in Barcelona. The “Violí MIDI” and “Metal·lòfon MIDI” are part of the project to design and construct an automated musical environment. This […]

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