Because B3 makes melodic instruments, it is important that you give consideration to the usage that you anticipate for them.
Instruments are available as single bars or as a range of modular matched-sets to gives user flexibility and expandabilty as space and budgets allow.
For each of the grouped tunings, a resolution (reso) key is recommended. The reso key is generally an octave above the starting note (tonic); although part of another octave it is felt to complete the scale. e.g. a C Maj Pentatonic scale is CDEGA and C will be the reso key.
Pentatonic
There are only 5 notes in the scale.
Each note will harmonise with every other note and there are no
'unpleasant' combinations. No musical skill whatsoever is required to
interact musically.
This
Pentatonic tuning is recommended generally. Because of the universality
of the tuning; It can accommodate as many players as can physically
access the striking areas of the instrument.
The
melodic capabilities of the instrument are limited by the absence of
two notes. In C Major the pentatonic scale is C D E G A.
Single Bars
Available in any note in any octave of the 12 note western scale. Microtonal tunings are available at any frequency +/- 5c.
Orff instruments are teaching instruments that are client-adjustable. In the form of keyboard / chime based instruments this means the temporary removal of selected playing keys/bars.In this case, an adjustable diatonic or chromatic instrument may be appropriate.
Orff instruments require a different installation approach because of the removability of the playing keys. You should consider your security options for exterior Orff instruments
The bell tree is a copper sound sculpture designed and made by Paul that was part of a major show garden in the 2006 Hampton Court Flower Show. The RHS awarded the garden a bronze medal.
The Garden
The garden was "the Well Garden" and was created by multi-award winning designer Tony Challis of Ginkgo Landscapes in London. The client was Independent Age and the whole garden is to be taken from Hampton Court and installed at a nursing home in Hove. You can see more of the garden including a panoramic image here
The Tree
The tree itself comprises three layers of broad-leaved copper that are positioned to spread out from the original base. The main copper piece sits in the centre of the 1.2m diameter well and the 'leaves' hang over the water where they shimmer with any air movement.
On the end of a number of the leaves are the 'fruit'; comprising 5 heavy bronze bells from Nepal and Burmah that hang approximately 10-20mm above the water.
The sculpture has 6 central stainless rods shooting up and those finish in a further six Indian bells that sound in the wind. The tank is made from a discarded copper water tank and was dissected using a plasma cutter made available to me by my friend and fellow sculptor .
The Well
The well itself contains water and under the water are four pumps all facing anti-clockwise. With the pumps active, the water develops a circular current. Also in the water are a number of black neoprene pads, each having a stainless steel rod mounted through it. These rods circulate in the current and strike the overhanging bells at random intervals. The bells have a gentle,pleasing sound and long sustain. To assist with the randomness of the sounds, a number of 'interruptors' are placed at key sites in the well to deflect the strikers where they might tend to congregate.
In addition to the sounds of the bells emanating from the well, there are three underground tubes that travel from the well interior out to beside three seating areas. These tubes carry the sound of the bells to the garden's visitors away from the well. The tubes end in three copper parabolic dishes, also taken from copper water tanks. These dishes serve to focus the sound but also to catch and return rainwater to the well.
The sculpture as it ages
One of the beauties of using copper is that it ages rapidly and in a very aesthetic manner with the lively green verdigris patina being theultimate objective. To this end, the 'leaves' of the main sculpture and the resonators have had the raw copper exposed in places, other places retain the protective coatings required for use in their former domestic life. This means that different sections will age differently, the leaves for example have had the extreme edges exposed and have had random markings ground into the broad leaves. Exposed copper will rapidly dull then after a period of exposure will attain the vardigris patina. I look forward to seeing the piece in three or four years
I'm delighted to announce that I am now working with the show Tapeire and its creator James Devine to generate some new sounds for his amazing feet -
There is some video available and here's some blurb about the show.
"A unique new way of expression created by James Devine, the world's fastest dancer clocked at 38 taps per second. TAPEIRE fuses the raw improvisation of Rhythm Tap and the percussive sounds of Irish dance in surprising new ways....
TAPEIRE is raw, exhilarating Celtic passion with original live music and dance. It is the next generation in Irish tap fusing the sounds of dance, fiddle, vocals and percussion; a fast paced live music and dance jam to invent a new and funky sound.
Tapeire melds breathtaking tap with the sounds of jazz, hip-hop, funk and Celtic rhythms. Along with his four piece band, Devine will electrify the stage in an exhilarating rhythmic performance!
News
Pentatonic
ank and was dissected using a plasma cutter made available to me by my friend and fellow sculptor .
circular current. Also in the water are a number of black neoprene pads, each having a stainless steel rod mounted through it. These rods circulate in the current and strike the overhanging bells at random intervals. The bells have a gentle,pleasing sound and long sustain. To assist with the randomness of the sounds, a number of 'interruptors' are placed at key sites in the well to deflect the strikers where they might tend to congregate.
I'm delighted to announce that I am now working with the show 