As we’ve discussed before, some musicians aren’t content to just make music; some like to make the things that make music, then use them to make the music! This affects musicians of all levels and in all walks of life. Don’t believe me? Find a professional oboist (or bassoonist) who doesn’t hand-craft their own reeds. :-)
Anyway, I ran across this great article from our friends at Instructables explaining how to make your own bongo cajon. If you’re a percussionist, especially one who plays la musica latina, you may already be familiar with the concept…but for non-percussionists, a bongo cajon is a cajon (“large box” in Spanish) that produces pitches like a bongo: high and low. This allows the percussionist to play bongo patterns on the cajon. It’s a rather clever instrument and looks like it would be relatively straightforward and fun to make.
Whether making or playing, keep the music coming!
Musically yours,
Mark
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Tags: bongo, build, cajon, craft, DIY, do it yourself, how to, Instructables, instrument, make
General, Percussion | admin December 14, 2011 | 
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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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If you’ve ever wanted or needed to record yourself, you’ve probably found the acoustics in your spare room, garage, basement, or outbuilding aren’t exactly optimal for a proper recording. We’ve published an article previously about building an entire studio, but if that just isn’t a possibility for you, read on; smaller-scale solutions do exist!
Brought to our attention by our friends at Instructables, this article describes how to make acoustic panels that dramatically improve a space’s acoustics while blending with their surroundings…and without breaking the bank. Following the steps described, it’s possible to build several panels for about $24 each – and maybe much less, depending upon what material options you have available.
The outbuilding I’d mentioned in the previous article about building a soundproof studio remains without soundproofing; frankly, it’s just too much project for me to tackle right now. But crafting a few acoustic panels could actually fit into a weekend…so again, the wheels turn.
If you’ve done this already – or are just further along in the process than I am (!) – please drop us a line or post a comment. The more we all know, the smarter we all are. :-)
Keep playing,
Mark
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Tags: acoustic, DIY, do it yourself, how, make, panels, recording, studio, to
Gear, General | Mark December 29, 2010 |
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Have you ever dreamed of having your own soundproof studio? Are you willing to invest a little time and effort to make it happen? Here’s how.
This excellent article from our friends at Instructables lays out the details. Included are recommendations, explanations, and even some diagrams to clearly convey what the author means to say. With any project like this, it’s important to have enough details to do it right, without so many you get lost in the preparation. Two thumbs up on this one.
I’ll admit I’m intrigued and sorely tempted. We have a small outbuilding that I’ve long considered converting, in whole or part, to a practice room. I’m bookmarking this article so I can come back to it when time and weather permit starting a new project. Maybe, just maybe…
Have you done this? If so, what are your thoughts? Any “gotchas” are good to know before they surface, so post a comment or drop us a line!
All the best,
Mark
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Yesterday’s article was very positively received, and for good reason: it demonstrated that it’s possible to have fun building a fine stringed instrument…even if the resultant instrument doesn’t look all that fine. 
This article – actually a wonderfully extensive series of articles – was briefly mentioned in the introduction to yesterday’s linked posting, and I wanted to share it as well. For those of you who have been bitten HARD by the lutherie bug and have moved far beyond the tinkerer stage into serious instrument building, this is for you. Even if you have no intentions of building your own exquisite cello, it makes for fascinating reading.
If you were to assign a dollar value to the hours it takes to build a nice instrument, you’d quickly decide that finished versions are relatively inexpensive to buy. This is due to many factors, such as well-trained (and superbly-skilled) craftsmen, dedicated workshops, and exchange rates (in some cases), among other things. But for some exceedingly creative musicians, the thrill of playing an instrument that they themselves made is so far beyond playing a purchased instrument that words just can’t capture the feeling. You know who you are. 
Here at PTM, we’ve discussed homebuilt instruments ranging from gas can banjos to hand-made marimbas, and it’s all good. For those cellists among us who want to create their next instrument with their own loving hands…this one’s for you. Enjoy!
All the best,
Mark
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Tags: beautiful, cello, DIY, do it yourself, fine, homebuilt, homemade, make your own, stringed instrument
Gear, Strings | Mark November 6, 2009 |
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