Handmade Xylophone
Listen to an audio demonstration.
Designed and handmade by Dan Faiver in Oakland, CA. The bars are made of maple hardwood. Makes a beautiful old-style artisan gift.
Perfect for children aged 5 and up (xylophone has small parts that could be swallowed). Durable when treated with care. Has been tested for years in elementary school classrooms. Can accommodate two children (a second pair of mallets can be purchased separately). The xylophone has rubber feet to help protect surfaces.
Suitable for adults as a beginner or practice instrument. Can be used to learn African and Latin American xylophone / balafon / marimba music from traditions that are compatible with C Major.
Bars are strung together, and the set of bars can be easily removed from the frame and rolled into a compact shape. The frame can be disassembled to fit into a suitcase or tall backpack.
The instrument has no resonators, so it is not as loud as some xylophones. It is more resonant when placed on a hard surface.
Comes with a pair of handmade latex mallets and a small information booklet including some music ideas to get you started. More ideas will be available in the future at www.dfaiver.com.
13 notes, C-Major diatonic scale, C4-A5 - the same range as an Orff alto xylophone, and the singing range of children. Optionally the note names can be printed on the bars.
Approx 27" x 16" x 3", 5.35 lbs.
Price $350.
Contact Dan Faiver, www.dfaiver.com, (510) 290-9306.
Download a printable flyer.
-
My History as an Instrument Maker
I made my first xylophone while living in South Africa. I didn't have my balafon with me and I missed it dearly. I obtained some wood - Rhodesian Teak was the hardest wood I could find. I carved the keys by hand with only a chisel.
Later when I got a job teaching children, I needed instruments quickly but didn't have money, so I started making xylophones to use for teaching children.
I make wrapped latex mallets for xylophones. I am also experienced in a variety of other mallet-making techniques.
|
|
