MARIMBAS
Tenor and Bass Models
MARIMBAS
Tenor and Bass Models
MARIMBAS
Tenor and Bass Models
CCBANTA Kalimba | Product Sheet
CCBANTA Kalimba | Users Guide
About
About
About
About
CCBANTA
Research and Development of Melodic
Bass and Contra-Bass Bar Percussion Systems
MAY 8, 2025
MISC
Publications (All Free Downloads)
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 (out-of-print)
![[Book Cover] "Marimba Bar Fabrication and Tuning" by Chris Banta](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/23a53e_08357ac35f5b47cd832cd92c02af5d7a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_187,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/23a53e_08357ac35f5b47cd832cd92c02af5d7a~mv2.jpg)
Marimba Bar Fabrication and Tuning
by Chris Banta
1982
150 pages
7.8 MB
Although a bit dated, this workbook 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] "Basic MARIMBA BAR Mechanics and RESONATOR Principles" by Chris Banta](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/23a53e_d55b629db94249b29e34e27f417edb60~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_184,h_227,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/23a53e_d55b629db94249b29e34e27f417edb60~mv2.jpg)
Basic MARIMBA BAR Mechanics and RESONATOR Principles
By Chris Banta
1982
36 pages
750 KB
This booklet covers the technical principles of the marimba bar, the column resonator, and the cavity (or Helmholtz) resonator.
In-Process
--IN PROCESS - STILL GATHERING AND ORGANIZING PROJECT DATA--
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: 2024
No. of Pages: TBD
Will be available through the AMAZON website.
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.
​
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 hasn't always been smooth sailing. There have been many mistakes, mishaps, along with some pleasant surprises which have all provided crucial lessons-learned that were carried forward to the next project. And, this book provides it all.
Note: Many details, photos, and text explanations found in this website, are captured in this book.