Sounds of Music B

[ali941]

I'm going to make a xylophone for my second instrument, anyone know what type of wood I should use for the bars? I know they're usually rosewood, but thats pretty much far over my budget xD

Padouk or bubinga would be the next best thing, but if those are also out of budget go with maple.

I do realize that this is rather late, but wenge isn't bad either. My partner and I (as in me) attempted a bass marimba with it. Sadly, we didn't have time to do PVC pipe resonators, but it sounded really good at competition. Except for the fact that it was slightly out of tune. I got it from Global Wood Source, Santa Clara, CA. WARNING it will have splinters. Good luck!

[ali941]

I know that being in Div C, I can't participate in this event, but out of curiosity has anyone seen a homemade Tuba?

I have yet to see a homemade tuba, but my school's B team grabbed a cardboard tube and played it as a trombone. Sounded pretty good too.

[thehydrogenpoptart]

I know this is not a place for official rules clarifications, but I would like some opinions on whether horse-hair for a violin bow is considered a commercial instrument part. Can we use it for our instrument?
Thanks in advance.

[zyzzyva980]

If it's commercial horse-hair sold for the purpose of a bow (or maybe any commercial types at all), then no. If you physically go out and get it from the horse, go ahead. (We actually went out and got real horse hair for our cello last year. It worked really well)

[foreverphysics]

I know this is not a place for official rules clarifications, but I would like some opinions on whether horse-hair for a violin bow is considered a commercial instrument part. Can we use it for our instrument?
Thanks in advance.

I'm making a violin; it is actually from a real horse. It is also painful to use (I can't use a straightener to save my life).
Commercial hair sold for the purpose of bowhair is not allowed, I think.

[RPMSRanger]

On getting through the door.....does that have to be in one piece? or can it be in multiple pieces and assembled?

[hscmom]

I know that being in Div C, I can't participate in this event, but out of curiosity has anyone seen a homemade Tuba?

I have yet to see a homemade tuba, but my school's B team grabbed a cardboard tube and played it as a trombone. Sounded pretty good too.

And, though I've never tried to tune one, a garden hose has a very nice sound if buzzed like a brass instrument. Not the entire hose. Buy a cheap one, lop it off a few feet from the brass fitting and buzz away. We used it for a fake shofar one year (no, not Jewish, just learning about that faith...) and were amazed how nice it sounds. Maybe someone could rig up a garden hose tuba with a few homemade valves????

[ewolf1230]

I found that PVC is the best material for wind instruments--why is that? I looked it up but.......

[ali941]

I found that PVC is the best material for wind instruments--why is that? I looked it up but.......

I'm probably wrong, but here are a few things to consider:
It's cheap, so if you mess up, you can buy some more.
It's consistent, which is especially useful for making instruments.
It's somewhat easy to carve/shape/cut/etc.
I have no idea why.

[Algorhythmic]

On getting through the door.....does that have to be in one piece? or can it be in multiple pieces and assembled?

Yes. It is completely all right if your instrument must be taken apart to be able to be moved in to the event room. However, with this in mind remember that 5 additional points are given to teams that are able to set up within 30 seconds.