Bamboo Shakers Scrapers Rattle and Roll

[Mark Meckes]

I made some bamboo Shaker/Scrapers a while back from smaller bamboo of 1-2 inches dia. of Phyllostachys spp. That's what I had available to work with.

I used a bandsaw or scroll saw to cut curved `caps' off of the culm wall and then inserted assorted beads etc, then glued the cap back on.
The same instrument might also have grooves filed on the surface to serve as a Scraper.
How I felt about their sound?... depended on lots of things ... I think that with small diameter bamboo the biggest factor was getting them to sound loud ... however quiet ones in a quiet atmosphere and a quiet mood are just the ticket ... at a noisey craft show they sounded like ... well, not at all!
And one that I might feel sounds harsh, sounds great at the same show.
One of these days I would like to try the above method to access the culm interior, and then thread a cord through some beads springs and washers, and suspend these lengthways inside the tube...
These instruments also benefit having sound holes, but
I've got a wHOLE lot a learning to figure out what makes bamboo Shake Scrape Rattle and Roll!!!

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

Here are some musical instruments that are in the experimental stage made from Phyllostachys pieces:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-125f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=610) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-126f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=611)

Sections are cut out with a coping saw, band saw, or scroll saw, which are glued back in place after placing items inside.
To facilitate evaluation of the sound effects of the inserted items, an elastic band can hold the `caps' in place for try-outs, prior to glueing.
For the discerning player, who would like to have greater control to adjust the sound effects, an adjustable model could be offered.
The Shaker/Rhythum Stick would need a SECURE and attractive, (it could be elastic) removable band which would enable the player to change the inner workings, but would not impede the quality of the sound.

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

The wavy cut-out on was made with a thin bladed band saw.
After inserting the rattlers and glueing the two parts back together, notches were made at the joinery with a round file.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-148f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=631) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/1Mvc-149f.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=632)

Shake Rattle and Roll!!

Mark

[Music Maker]

Are those ball bearings in that first picture? What materials do you prefer, in terms of sound, for that "shaker" project?

Have you tried making full-size rainsticks?

[Mark Meckes]

Wow! It's been a while since I tinkered with these.
Are those ball bearings in that first picture?
Yep, they're BB's I picked up in a sporting goods store. They have a weight that delivers a good sound.
What materials do you prefer, in terms of sound, for that "shaker" project?
If I was a musician I'd have a whole bunch of them at hand, used indivdually or grouped together.
The culm wall thickness, length and number of chambers, type of and quantity of rattlers used, and the position in which the shakers are held and the manner of shaking varies the sound that they produce.

There are many possible variations and extensions to this basic concept which I'd like to experiment with one of these days, such as adding tamborine style rattlers ... and engraving grooves in the inner walls to cause the bearings/beads to bounce rattle and roll ;)

Have you tried making full-size rainsticks?
Nope, though I'd like to give it a go sometime ... We can discuss this more in this thread ...
Bamboo Rainsticks - How to make them? (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=454)

Mark