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I saw one of these somewhere a while back and always thought it would be fun to play with. A quick Google came up with several including the one in this picture. It's available online for about $33. I'm no kind of musician and I've never built a musical instrument before but this looks simple enough. I'd rather just make one.
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Looking at the image I found on google there is no reference to tell exact size but I'm not really worried about making it accurate. I'll guess it looks to be about 5" x 7" x 1".
For most of the parts I was looking for stuff I had sitting around. This is the parts list for what I ended up with.
(2) - 3/16" plywood - 5" x 7" for the top and bottom
(2) - 3/4" x 3/4" x 3' pine - 5" and (2) 7" for the frame
(2) - 1/4" dowel - 2-1/2" to support the keys
(1) - 3/8" aluminum rod - 4" to hold down the keys
(1) - 3 1/2" nail - cut to 3-1/4"
5/8" x 18 brads - optional
(2) - #6-32 x 1/4" T-nuts
(2) - #6-32 x 1" round head bolts
street sweeper bristles - enough to make 9 keys about 2-1/2" - 3-1/4" each.
I had to buy the T-nuts and bolts but the rest I was able to scrounge. The "keys" were made out of street sweeper bristles. They're easy to find if you get out and walk much, just keep an eye on the street.
For most of the parts I was looking for stuff I had sitting around. This is the parts list for what I ended up with.
(2) - 3/16" plywood - 5" x 7" for the top and bottom
(2) - 3/4" x 3/4" x 3' pine - 5" and (2) 7" for the frame
(2) - 1/4" dowel - 2-1/2" to support the keys
(1) - 3/8" aluminum rod - 4" to hold down the keys
(1) - 3 1/2" nail - cut to 3-1/4"
5/8" x 18 brads - optional
(2) - #6-32 x 1/4" T-nuts
(2) - #6-32 x 1" round head bolts
street sweeper bristles - enough to make 9 keys about 2-1/2" - 3-1/4" each.
I had to buy the T-nuts and bolts but the rest I was able to scrounge. The "keys" were made out of street sweeper bristles. They're easy to find if you get out and walk much, just keep an eye on the street.
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After a thorough search of my suburb i found one...
For example, if you use 15 tines (prongs), you can have a 2 octave major scale:
G E C A F# D B G A C E G B D F#
Or you can use an 11 tine setup to get a pentatonic scale:
G D A E B G A D G B E
The 8-note kalimba is an easy place to start. It's usually tuned to the major scale:
C A F D C E G B.
Have a dig through http://www.kalimbamagic.com for more information on the types of kalimba, tunings and lessons on how to play it.
There's a stack of videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/kalimbamagic
I particularly like the one called "First Look Inside"
I'm amazed at what you can do with this little thing. I think I'll be making 3 or 4 of these little beauties!
If you use smaller wire for the keys, the instrument will be louder, but the note will decay more quickly; this is due to more 'damping' with the air.
If you're keen on electric instruments, check this out
http://www.hypercustom.com/quicksteps.html
Yuri landman is my favorite instrument designer.
Just curious as to how this came out. Does it sound OK?
I have a buss bar from a house fuse box laying around somewhere and have been itching to do something with it. It looks a lot like the aluminum bar you have in your image.
Cheers!
the problem i had with mine was the gauge of spring steel wire. i think mine was too thick, so the keys weren't as loud as i would have liked.
i tuned mine by ear using a piano. this would do http://www.pianoworld.com/fun/javapiano/javapiano.htm