Xylophone Experiments?

See now........ what you have are pentatonic or diatonic scales, and dissonance is often a problem on chromatic instruments......er......... fine......I have no musical knowledge whatsoever, but I have really enjoyed just experimenting with this. I think technically speaking I am collecting empirical evidence and data for application when constructing the instrument on a larger scale.

Actually I am just making trial and error experiments on a model xylophone. Choosing small logs of different thickness and cutting them to different lengths. Some I have cut in half longways and removed a lot of wood from the back, hoping this would make them sound better than just a plain log. I googled xylophones and found out that if you measure 22.5% of the total lengh in from each end to find the 'nodes', alternatively you could use the 'sprinkling salt' method?


empirical experiments

My logs are going to be hung vertically, so the location of nodes and support under them seems a little irrelevant, it does change the sound of the log but whose to say it sounds better than just a plain log? I can't.


my experiment with logs cut in half

 These sound different to just plain logs, and I quite like the smooth flat face to engrave designs on. I had to invent ways off attaching them so they stopped spinning round and round when played. With the back scooped off they look like they might have been made by someone who knew what they were doing?



my experiment with whole logs

 The whole logs produce a different sound and I cant tell which is best I will have to consult with my friends at Kent Wildlife Trust. Practically speaking it appears to me that both work just as well, though some pieces of wood are just naff sounding if they are a bit soft or damp, or may be just too small. What you hit the logs with also makes a difference, whether it is a piece of rebar (metal) which is what I used or just another piece of wood? So there are a lot of variables none seem particularly wrong, but then I can't hardly tell if notes go higher or lower.

What I do really like is carving patterns which wrap around the logs, it makes the instrument look rather primeval.......like my musical abilities.



Totem Poles in the Paper

It is always nice to see what you've done in the paper, my friends and relatives certainly have and contacted me to tell me. These poles have been in a a few weeks now and I can see the freshly cut wood just starting to change colour. I guess they will eventually turn a silver grey colour.



right to left: Kathryn Barton, Rob Turner, Roger Day and a yellow telehandler


In the kitchen yesterday, my youngest daughter shouted 'whats that bird on the garden fence'? We all looked round to see what we think was probably either a Goshawk or more likely to have been a sparrow hawk fly off across the back gardens of our neighbours. Coincidence as the I never seen any thing like that in my garden ever before, yet a couple of weeks after the totem poles went in. A sparrow hawk is the basis for the bird of prey on the top of one. The joke at the time when carving it was that I should paint it black, as it has a swept back appearence resembling a stealth bomber.




bird of prey based on a sparrow hawk



There will be other features installed along the Wildart Trail over the next few months or so. 

Totem Poles the First Entrance Feature

There has been a lot of activity in the woods this week, chain saw, totem poles, diggers, cranes, entrance features and the local press.
Roger Day has sculpted the two totem poles and brought my drawings to life. He has worked long hours on these and it was exciting to see the crane putting them in place. They depict species native to these woodlands and celebrate a more diverse habitat and increasing species numbers.



the machine has a free spirit (like the animals it created) tamed by Roger



small tent protection from the rain so cow wheat
carving can continue  



each pole is 5m long  before being placed in the ground 

 

spirtual guardians for Wildart Trail visitors and the future

In the Totem Pole page at the top I have included more photos of the totem poles and the process leading up to their marking the entrance to the Wildart Trail. Thanks to all involved, it was a team effort including Soverign Forestry Contractors and the Kent Wildlife Trust.

New Pages:

I have recently discovered that you can make pages within this blog and they appear at the top under the picture heading up the whole blog. I thought by starting a new page for a each new feature on the Wildart Trail as they progress would be a good idea!

There is alot of things going on in the woods right now; So I decided to start with the giant ant making workshop run by Alan Sage about a week ago. Then start another page about the large totem poles currently being sculpted by Roger Day.  



Roger Day chain saw carving a Totem Pole and er.........Cosmo in the background





technique called 'random weaving' ...................... giant ant




and a couple of Woodpeckers



Nomination for The Culture Awards

In the post the other day this arrived

enclosed with a letter gongratulatiing me and explaing this was the first of what is hoped to become an annual event to celebrate the rich cultural life in the district. It went on to say if I wanted to see information about this years winners then go to http://www.creativecanterbury.com/main.cfm?objectid=67

So congratulations to the winners and although it is my name is on the certificate, this is a partnership project and I have been working with several members of staff with The Kent Wildlife Trust who are enabling the Wildart Trail to happen. It is encouraging that the local authority recognises the efforts made by members of its community especially when times are difficult.

great spotted woodpeker

 

green woodpecker






 

three down one to go

Three of the four totem posts have now been completed and installed. I probably explained earlier that each post is a record of class work and exploration into woodland life by students at local Primary Schools.



Class 6 Churchill Herne Junior School



Class 6 Wallis Herne Junior School





Class 6 Szarbo Herne Junior School



More generally speaking items / events  for the Wildart Trail are beginning to happen these include entrance features, willow weaving workshops, seating, sculptures and more, these will unfold over the summer with some kind conclusion by autum 2011. I will post on this blog in much more detail as items are made, and events draw nearer.  Feedback about the trail so far has been positve and regular dog walkers have mentioned the increase in activity and are expectant !..........The main  improvements to the car park  have also been finished with parking for disabled visitors and much improved surfacing and demarcation, fencing and a pair of swankey new entrance signs.   

The Updated updated map

So here is the latest version of the trail map, which probably looks no different to the last one, but a tweek here and an adjustmant there, I think I might have even needed to move a tree at one point or a couple of red dots.


trail map showing features along the route

Canturbury City Council are hosting a networking event on the trail this Thurs 26th May. Things have started but most of it is not in place yet but I am looking forward to meeting friends and collegues talking about what will be installed while walking round. Other developments include possible sculptures with students from Christ Church University.

I have drawn up some initial ideas for two totem poles which will form the entrance feature showing animals that visitors will be likely to see. I have to say designing totem poles was a little harder than I anticipated. One pole had animals all with the same shaped ears and it was'nt working.

 



May Sticks. 'Living in fear of Arson',
a song title by Michele Shocked, which is true to say during this month in the woods, with large areas looking like scenes from sci fi movies