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Home > Marimba Making > John Wayland Marimba

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JW_Marimbas03.jpg
Tube Resonators2106 viewsPVC storm and drain pipe is used for the tone bar resonators. Each one is tuned to a specific pitch.
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The Tone Bars2251 viewsThis stack of nice Cherry lumber will become the tone bars for John Wayland Elementary School's new Bass Marimba.
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The Tools2658 viewsThe directions are from Jon Madin's book "Make Your Own Marimba," published by Beatin' Path Publications. This tone bar is ready to be measured then trimmed.
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Adding the legs2251 viewsThe legs are added to the frame.
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The Frame2140 viewsThe frame takes shape. It is angled because of the size of the tone bars. As the bars get smaller the pitch gets higher. As the bars get longer the pitch gets lower.
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Long view of the legs.2121 views
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The Leaders of the Band2615 viewsMrs. Harter and Mrs. Jones are the team leaders of this project. They practiced with the tools before the students arrived.
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Standing up2519 viewsThe frame is leveled and prepared for the resonators and tone bars.
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Work Stations2849 viewsThe construction process moves from Mr. Holl's garage to the shop/lab at JWE. Here's a table with work stations ready for the students to begin their work.
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Tuning the bar2337 viewsOne student holds the bar over the electronic tuner while another hits the sweet spot to make the best tone.
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Sanding and Finishing2175 viewsEach bar is sanded smooth in preparation for two coats of poly coating. Sanders get to work outside on a beautiful day!
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Students begin3074 viewsStudents are testing the tuning of a tone bar with an electronic tuner. They've already been at work with a plastic mallet and chisel, carving wood from the bar.
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Work Stations2575 viewsThere were two tables full of work stations set up in the lab. Students worked in pairs, taking turns with the tools.
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Wood Carving2804 viewsStudents are trained to use the simple hand tools, a plastic mallet and a wood chisel, to carve wood from the center third of the tone bar. As more wood is removed the pitch of the bar is lowered. Care must be taken not to take out too much wood!
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Teacher Station3153 viewsThe small table in front is the teacher's workstation. Mr. Holl did the fine tuning on each tone bar before it got mounted on the frame.
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More bars added2131 viewsBars are added one at a time and the marimba slowly grows more complete. Anticipation grows!
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A Joyful Noise!2786 viewsImagine the sound of 12 work stations, each with a mallet and chisel tapping away. It is indeed the joyful sound of creativity and music making!
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Adding Bars to the Frame2524 viewsAs each bar is finished, they are added to the frame. It's an exciting moment when the bar gets to make its beautiful sound for the first time.
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The instructions3122 viewsThe page is open to the beginning of the directions for marimba making in Jon Madin's book, "Make Your Own Marimbas."
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The Finished Marimba3563 viewsAll the bars have been installed and the new Bass Marimba is ready to play!
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