Children love music and tones; why not give them an instrument of their own? This show covers materials needed, construction and tuning of the keys for the instrument.
Unfortunately this was the only project that I didn’t include downloadable templates for as the size and shape of the keys are somewhat irrelevant.. With an understanding of the tuning; size and shape really doesn’t matter all that much. The sound box and keys themselves can be a square or rectangle and the various tones can still be reached by dishing the underside….
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Hi…my name is Bridget Allen. I’m a single mother of two young children who was forced to start my own business as a musician when I was left with not being able ot afford daycare. I started my own business working with children and music and it’s been a slow start but I’m just starting my own workshops. I was wondering if you have any of these amazing wooden xylophones that you would like to contribute or if I can pay you to make me one. I really want to make one myself but I have a hard enought time making dinner….(LOL). Please check out my short 1 minute video as what IM trying to do for kids in my community http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-deEPyD1jrs
Hi Bridget, I’d be happy to make a xylophone for your school, however it may be a little bit. I’m heading into my busy season with work and spare time is something that I am going to have very little of. It’s probably something I could look at after Memorial Day. I’d be happy to donate 1, but if you would like more unfortunately I would need to get a little something for time and materials. If you have further Q’s please email me (link on my website About Us –> How to contact us). My daughter really likes hers (turned 2 last month); uses it almost every night to procrastinate going to bed!
Hey Richard, to be honest the materials list really depends on what kind of shape you would like the xylophone to have. But, as a starting point take a look at what I have written up here Also, the general list for the one I made is provided in the video as well… Please let me know if you have any further Q’s!!
Hi,
For a physics project I have decided to make a wooden xylophone. I was wondering what kind of wood you would recommend and if different types would make a big difference to achieve a good note. I would like it to be pretty cheap. Also what is an alternative to making the curves in the keys without the type of saw you had? Is there a way to make it good otherwise?
When I built it I ended up going with mahogany. In the video I tried 3 different types and decided that the the more dense the wood the better the sound. I would imagine you could use almost any kind of hardwood (NOT softwood). Well, I suppose you could but I don’t think it would have much sound to it.
As far as an alternative to dishing the bottoms out, I’m afraid that’s the best way. I just used a bandsaw. Maybe see if your school has one that you could use? I suppose you could hand sand but it would take forever. DO NOT try a router.. That will be a good way to lose a finger 🙂
Dishing the bottom is the single most important factor in tuning the keys.
On my download page I have a write up that has a bit more detail.
Could you post / send me a working drawing of the xylophone you made. With measurements labelled in centimeters. would very much appreciate this.
Thanks.
Hi…my name is Bridget Allen. I’m a single mother of two young children who was forced to start my own business as a musician when I was left with not being able ot afford daycare. I started my own business working with children and music and it’s been a slow start but I’m just starting my own workshops. I was wondering if you have any of these amazing wooden xylophones that you would like to contribute or if I can pay you to make me one. I really want to make one myself but I have a hard enought time making dinner….(LOL). Please check out my short 1 minute video as what IM trying to do for kids in my community http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-deEPyD1jrs
Thanks so much, Bridget
Hi Bridget, I’d be happy to make a xylophone for your school, however it may be a little bit. I’m heading into my busy season with work and spare time is something that I am going to have very little of. It’s probably something I could look at after Memorial Day. I’d be happy to donate 1, but if you would like more unfortunately I would need to get a little something for time and materials. If you have further Q’s please email me (link on my website About Us –> How to contact us). My daughter really likes hers (turned 2 last month); uses it almost every night to procrastinate going to bed!
Thank you!
i was wondering if i could get a list of materials for the wooden xylophone. i am about to make one for a physics project and don’t know what to buy.
Hey Richard, to be honest the materials list really depends on what kind of shape you would like the xylophone to have. But, as a starting point take a look at what I have written up here Also, the general list for the one I made is provided in the video as well… Please let me know if you have any further Q’s!!
Thank you!
~Andy
Hi,
For a physics project I have decided to make a wooden xylophone. I was wondering what kind of wood you would recommend and if different types would make a big difference to achieve a good note. I would like it to be pretty cheap. Also what is an alternative to making the curves in the keys without the type of saw you had? Is there a way to make it good otherwise?
Thank You!
Hey Alan,
When I built it I ended up going with mahogany. In the video I tried 3 different types and decided that the the more dense the wood the better the sound. I would imagine you could use almost any kind of hardwood (NOT softwood). Well, I suppose you could but I don’t think it would have much sound to it.
As far as an alternative to dishing the bottoms out, I’m afraid that’s the best way. I just used a bandsaw. Maybe see if your school has one that you could use? I suppose you could hand sand but it would take forever. DO NOT try a router.. That will be a good way to lose a finger 🙂
Dishing the bottom is the single most important factor in tuning the keys.
On my download page I have a write up that has a bit more detail.
Hope this helps!
Good luck
Hey,
Thanks for all the help making the xylophone, I think it turned out pretty good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI-eOOGPKJA
Could you post / send me a working drawing of the xylophone you made. With measurements labelled in centimeters. would very much appreciate this.
Thanks.
Hey Conor,
Try looking this over (the center section under template downloads). http://boatworkstoday.com/articles-download
There is no set way to do this. It all depends on how you dish the bottom of the keys..
Good luck!