Instead of making something that looks like an instrument, I will make four instruments that "play" like a musical instrument. These are in order of complexity form complex to simple. This is the most complex fold (only moderately difficult). The other can easily be folded by anyone with minimal skills. The last which I will present in about 7 days is the "Preedle" which almost anyone can fold (and play).
Make sure to view each of the four videos to the end, I have a small surprise. Please be kind, I am not a musician !
I have put up a Mad Pad "Paper Band" so you can experiment with the paper sounds for your self. Get Mad Pad for the Ipad, find Firstfold1 on tweeter and join in the fun. If you have "Garage Band" you can sample my sounds and make any tune you have the skill to produce.
Another paper instrument to play. Try folding with different paper and sizes change the length of pleats to change the "tone" of the sound.
You will see musical rasps under a variety of names from different countries amd from different material such as bamboo or gourds. I think using paper has a wider possibility for "Tuning" the sound. Make sure to watch all the way to the end for my surprise "paper" song. Please forgive my very, very limited musical skills.
Third of four Origami Musical Instruments you can play. Listen to the "paper" song at the end of the video, this time with the first three paper instruments played together.
I'm running out of songs related to origami and/or paper which are easy to play and can be recognized when played by an amateur. Any suggestions?
I have ideas for two additional instruments but these are definitely multi-unit. They will take some time to fold and will be too late for this challenge. I need at least two more songs to play.
Have you ever picked up two leaves or two blades of grass and blown between them to make a high pitched squeal? Well a “PREEDLE” is a one sheet paper instrument based on this process. Making a “PREEDLE” is very, very simple. The trick is to make a recognizable tune using this instrument. At best you can get 1 to 3 notes from one “PREEDLE”. The sound depends mostly on what kind of material you use to fold. It should be slightly thicker material (like cardstock). A better sound is produced when the paper used has multiple layers (like Butcher Paper) – shiny or waxy on one side and slightly rougher on the other. Heavy foil packed wrapping paper works fairly well. You can also put a standard sheet of paper inside a plastic bag and get a fairly consistent sound.
One way to get enough tones to make a recognizable tune requires several “PREEDLES” each made of a different material and of course several “PREEDLE” players (a “PREEDLE” choir). This is the low tech, all paper method.
A second way is to take just one tone from one “PREEDLE” and sample the music on Garage Band. You can then play almost any tune with a “Synthesized-PREEDLE” by playing the Garage-Band keyboard. Sample a second “PREEDLE” with a different sounding note and you can add “Multiple-Synthesized-PREEDLE” instruments resulting in the “Grand-Harmonic synthesized PREEDLE Orchestra” ! ! !
Now, making that sound good, takes a much better musician than I am. Anyone want to volunteer?
I have two more instruments planned but these are fairly complex multi-unit structures (folded without glue from rectangles) and will require much more time than I have for the challenge.
I also have run out of easy to play, recognizable tunes that relate to Origami in one way or another. Anyone have any ideas?
I always made something alike to the preedle sound when I was starting origami.
My version went just as a rectangle with a slit down the center (not all the way to the edges though) and then it is folded down along that same slit. You hold the device at the parts of the fold where there is no cut and then when you blow on the slit, it vibrates the large pieces.
But yours is far easier and much more interesting, firstfold. I like it. Creative interpretations of the contests as always.
It's the end of the month! Several entries were made and all of them were wonderful. I have picked my three favorites:
3rd place
Firstfold's group of playable paper instruments was a refreshing, unique approach for the challenge. The preedle has a beautiful form and makes the best sound of the set in my opinion.
2nd place
Jeko's Djembe has a well thought out theme for the model, from the paper to the background. This Djembe looks sturdy and detailed without needing any extra folds.
1st place
Snowblue's wooden fish is a beautiful example of origami. The model is instantly recognizable and looks almost seamless. The details added on the head and the stick complete the picture, along with the perfect photography. Congratulations Snowblue!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/54228408/SAM_2776.JPG
