Learn to make African Marimbas

Come and learn to make these exciting, communal playing instruments. On this workshop, you'll learn how, and participate in, making a marimba. You will end the course with a comprehensive manual,the experience in making and tuning one, and the option to take one home (see below). The workshop is targeted towards''Marimbas in Schools' a project where the technology and music teachers can combine to provide marimbas for children, but is open to anyone interested in making a high quality African style marimba.

This workshop is supported by the NZ Rhythm centre, who have an active keen marimba playing group, called Mhara . See www.rhythmcentre.org

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The course runs over 2 weekends, each 2 days, Saturday and Sunday

Some Course Details

Participants will work in pairs over the weekend to create a marimba, and maybe some time at the end to play some simple rhythms on the marimbas. You get some experience working with wood working tools, sometimes a first for some people!!

The marimba keys are made of padauk,(the same that's used for professional jazz, classical marimbas), with frames a mix of dried, untreated pine and hardwood, and produce a wonderful sound. The material will be precut in most cases, like a kitset.

The two options on this course are Alto Soprano (19 keys, G to C) Tenor (16 keys C to D ) These marimbas are individually resonated, with 'buzzers' in the true African style. You'll be shown how to keep the resonators, and silence the buzz.

The first weekend, we'll be making up the marimba keys, resonators and mallets.

The second weekend is devoted to final tuning of keys, frame manufacture and construction, final assembley and final tuning.

Place : The Technology Department, Kelston Girls College, 1 Archibald Rd, Kelston.

Dates : First Weekend 4th to 5th September 2010 Second Weekend 18th to 19th September 2010 Times : Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am start. Finish 5pm

Costs : The individual cost per person is $300 per person, and includes all tuition and notes. If you want to take your marimba home, there is an extra cost of $300 for the full materials for the marimba.

Course limited to 12 participants. Bookings and payment before the course is essential. What to bring, lunch, keen ears, pen and note paper, clothes suitable for woodworking in. Contact and Tutor Ian Drower email idrower@gmail.com Phone 09 4254044, Cellphone 021 448801

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Events / Community Notices

Drumming group available for weddings and other festive occasions! - Call Jimi on (021) 123 2037 or use the above form.

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