MISC

Publications

Articles

RESONATORS

Part 1: Types and How They Work

Part 2: How to Tune and Measure Them

By Chris Banta

Source: Interval Magazine, 1981

Scales and their Mathematical Factors

By Chris Banta

Source: Experimental Musical Instruments Magazine, 1986

Books

Book Cover: Chris Banta "Marimba Bar Fabrication and Tuning"

Marimba Bar Fabrication and Tuning

by Chris Banta

$100

1982

150 pages

7.8 MB

This is a workbook that provides in-depth information of how to turn a piece of wood into a musical note suitable for melodic bar percussion.  This work covers the aspects of wood, bar design, fabrication tools and techniques, the tuning process, finishes, bar problems and solutions, and the effects of the environment on the bar.

Note: This book is only available as a PDF which was scanned from an original copy.  Although it contains some redline mark-ups, text and illustrations are very clear.

Book Cover: Chris Banta "Basic MARIMBA BAR Mechanics and RESONATOR Principles"

Basic MARIMBA BAR Mechanics and RESONATOR Principles

By Chris Banta

$50

1982

36 pages

750 KB

This booklet covers the technical principles of the marimba bar, the column resonator, and the cavity (or Helmholtz) resonator.

Note: This book is only available as a PDF which was scanned from an original copy.  Although it contains some redline mark-ups, text and illustrations are very clear.

TheRomanceOfInstruementDesign-CoverShot.jpg

--IN-PROCESS--

THE ROMANCE OF INSTRUMENT DESIGN

A Visual Journey of Bar Percussion Projects through the years with Technical Discussions and Instrument Details

By Chris Banta

Target Publishing Date: June 2023

No. of Pages: TBD

Will be available through AMAZON

Chris Banta has been designing and building various types of bar percussion over many years.  His projects include Bass Marimbas, Contra-Bass Marimbas, and a variety of other bar percussion.  He also experimented in music scales outside of our Western 12-Tone Chromatic system of notes which include the diatonic scale, pentatonic scale, non-12 equal tempered scales, and other experimental scales.

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Over the years, Chris has developed many woodworking skills along with the understanding of musical acoustics - a necessary discipline in understanding of how music systems work and how to accurately tune all musical components, so they function in perfect harmony together.

 

As with any road travelled, it has not always been smooth sailing.  There have been many mistakes, mishaps, and even some pleasant surprises along the way which have all provided crucial lessons-learned that were carried forward to the next project…and this book provides it all. 

 

Note: Many details and photos, found in this website, are captured in this book.

How to Order:

 

1) Forward an E-mail (below) with your name listing the book(s) of interest.  

 

2) Invoicing and payment are managed through PayPal.   A PayPal invoice will be forwarded to the requestor. 

 

3) Once payment is confirmed via PayPal, the PDF will be sent to the E-mail provided.