Scioly.org

are chordophones allowed this year?

The rules wrote:Description: Prior to the competition each team must build two different instruments, of any type, based on a 12 tone tempered scale...

I'd take that as a "yes".

Okay, thanks. I just wasn't sure because they weren't allowed last year, right?

3nv1r0nm3ntal ch3m wrote:Okay, thanks. I just wasn't sure because they weren't allowed last year, right?

Yes, the old 2010-2011 rules specified wind and percussion instruments only, with a later clarification that further dividing these into more specific classes of allowed instruments. The new 2011-2012 rules state that teams may bring any type of instrument.

Schrodingerscat wrote: Yes, the old 2010-2011 rules specified wind and percussion instruments only, with a later clarification that further dividing these into more specific classes of allowed instruments. The new 2011-2012 rules state that teams may bring any type of instrument.

...as long as it does not use electricity. (no electrophones)

what instruments are going to be popular this year?
Marimbas again?
or maybe guitars/violins since people can now make them?

I figure stringed instruments will be huge this year, as absence makes the heart grow fonder. Of course, I could also see a lot of teams just reusing the same instruments from last year.

I'm reusing my marimba from last year, but making a few modifications. My partner is going to reuse his flute unless he can build something better.

I think we can expect a lot more complex instruments than last year since most teams now have members with experience.

hmcginny wrote:Is it legal to reuse complete or even parts of instruments from last year? I was under the impression that everything was supposed to be built in that school year, of course that is not physically written anywhere that I have seen. The rules just say things need to be built by current competing members, so would it be legal for the reuse of parts if they were built by current members? Also, I think we can expect a lot more complex instruments than last year since most teams now have members with experience.

Depends. Most of the time, at least with the students, reusing instruments from previous years is frowned upon but not actually against the rules. With the judges, it varies. You would think that most judges would not appreciate recycled instruments, but for our states competition last year we reused the same marimba that won nationals from 2008 and we did great. Maybe she liked it for the sentimental value? But with large projects like marimbas, it's hard to start over so I'm sure reusing it won't be too large of a problem. Maybe just give it a different color paint haha.