There are a number of Part-Time Musicians (PTMs) who enjoy building instruments nearly as much as they enjoy playing them. I’m not gifted enough to do that, although I’ve made several aesthetically-pleasing and functional repairs over the years. 
For those who need to go deeper, this is for you.
An ocarina is a fun little instrument similar to a very basic recorder. Our friends at Instructables posted this article on how to build one for yourself; pictures and sound clip are included with the instructions. If you’re itching to hit the woodshop and build something musical, this project is much more attainable (for most of us) than attempting to craft your own guitar or violin.
Have you built your own instrument? Drop us a line or leave a comment below. We’d love to share your experiences doing so with your fellow PTMs, whether resulting in triumph or cautionary tale. Sometimes one is just as good as the other… :-D
Keep playing,
Mark
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Tags: build, craft, DIY, do it yourself, how to, Instructables, instrument, make, ocarina
General, Woodwinds | Mark March 24, 2011 | 
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I was chatting with a friend of mine recently and he passed along some advice so simple, yet so profound, that I felt it just had to be shared. With all of the excellent advice out there for the current or aspiring Part-Time Musician (PTM) – and I’d like to think we’ve passed along a good deal of it! – it just doesn’t get much better than this.
It’s Never Too Late to Start
However old you are now, whether 8 or 88, you’re at the perfect age to start playing an instrument. If you don’t already play the instrument you’d like to play, for Heaven’s sake, START NOW! What is holding you back…really? Fear of committing to…doing something you’ve always wanted to do? Fear of…not being very good until you’ve progressed a bit? The cost of…investing in your personal growth and fulfillment? Short of physical inability (five year old + double bass = bad idea), there is no good reason for putting it off. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT YOU LOVE!
Something is Better Than Nothing
We’ve written previously about “micro-sessions” for practicing (click here to see article), but to cut straight to the chase, any quality time is better than no quality time…even if it’s just a few minutes each day. You won’t get to Carnegie Hall on five minutes a day, but you could learn a few tunes over the course of a few months, work on tuning and intonation, throw in a few embellishments, and amaze just about everyone you know – including yourself – with your progress in less than a year’s time. Yes, you’ll improve faster with more time and thought invested; but begin with whatever you can and adjust as appropriate. SOMETHING REALLY IS BETTER THAN NOTHING!
These same principles apply to anything in life (fitness, learning a language, reading, etc.), but they hold special importance for us as PTMs. Remember these keys and apply them, and someday, you just might amaze yourself with what you can do.
All the best,
Mark
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Tags: better, keys, life, music, never too late, nothing, something, success, two
Band, Bass Guitar, Brass, Ensemble, General, Gigs, Guitar, Inspiration, Learning, Orchestra, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Venues, Woodwinds | Mark March 6, 2011 |
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Time to give the trombonists a break and pick on a woodwind. Hmm…how about those squeaky soprano saxophones? Yes, they’ll do just fine! ;-)
Q: What’s the definition of a minor second interval?
A: Two soprano sax players reading off the same part.
Take heart, soprano saxophonists – someone else will be in the hot seat next week! Until then…
Keep playing,
Mark
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In honor of the flautists among us, we bring you today’s joke. Oh yes…we did. :-D
Q: How many flute players does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, but she’ll never stop twisting it in and out to get it just right.
Whatever you play, may you play it to its fullest.
All the best,
Mark
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While there are many jokes related to chickens and their road-crossing habits, this one has special appeal to (most) instrumentalists. Enjoy!
Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: To get away from the bassoon recital.
Apologies to the bassoonists among us, but really now, you had gotten off way too easily for far too long! 
Keep playing,
Mark
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