Making Gourd Musical Instruments

Making Gourd Musical Instruments

- Over 60 String, Wind & Percussion
Instruments & How to Play Them -

To order the book or CD, or to return to the page with the other books, click below.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction

	Part 1 - Idiophones "Idiophones are among the oldest instruments used by humans. The term literally means self-sounding (idio = self, phone = sound)."

	Part 2 - Membranophones "The large category of membranophones includes most drums found in virtually all cultures worldwide. Unlike the idiophone drum, all other drums are constructed using a membrane that covers one or more openings in a hollow body. Striking causes a vibration in themembrane that is transmitted to the surrounding air."

	Part 3 - Chordophones "Chordophones are instruments for which the sound source is a vibrating string. To produce a vibration, a string must be held taut, so two important elements of the instruments in this category are the sting or strings, and a rigid frame."

	Part 4 - Aerophones Color "Sound is created by the regular vibration of air molecules . . . the air if first set in motion, usually by blowing . . ."

Appendix
Constructing a Xylophone
Gourd Suppliers
Index

Gourd Musical Instruments - Compact Disc.

This CD provides 75 minutes of melodic and rhythmic music illustrating 30 of the remarkable instruments decscribed in
Making Gourd Musical Instruments.

The selections include a wide variety of gourd instruments, from old ones still being played in traditional settings, to new and experimental instruments made by contemporary musicians.

Many of the traditional instruments are used in ceremonies and settings that define not only how and when they are to be played, but also who can perform the music.