Blog Archives
My Medium: Hardware Life Hacks!
I’ve started a Medium (blog) that details some of the little modifications I’ve made around the house so things work better. Maybe there’s something that will help make your life better too? So far I’ve written about improving a bubble machine, steamer, kitchen vent, closet door and more. There’s even instructions for making a tiny […]
Professional Pickelist?
(RIP Peter Schickele 2024) One of the fun things I was invited to do while in Cleveland studying audio at Telarc records, was to be an “extra” on a Peter Schickele CD. If you look on the liner notes for “Dysfunctional Works for Keyboard”, you’ll see my name as a “pickle player”. I had been […]
Contrabassoon in a Funk Band!
I never would have guessed that my first “rehearsal” post-Covid would be playing in a Funk band, but I got an invite to sit in with the horn section of Sinister Dexter for their rehearsal that was scheduled next door. Made great use of the “solo peg” so I could stand up while playing and did my […]
Contrabassoon – “Solo Peg”
When I had my Mollenhauer contra, I made an elongated peg out of aluminum so I could play recitals and small ensembles standing up. For my new Fox 920 contra, I fabricated one out of wood which looks way nicer. The material is oak for extra strength, and the metal rod is stainless steel for […]
Bassoon “Low A” Extension
Update: This was the first design attempt. An alternate approach to creating a Low A extension is detailed here. The Low A “Insert”: The important thing about this extension is that it does not effect the intonation of your instrument. Shoving a cardboard or plastic tube in your bell to lengthen the bassoon is a […]
New Instrument in my Collection: a 110 year old Mandolin Zither
I have just finished restoring a “Mandolin Zither”! It dates from 1900 but despite its age and the interesting history behind the instrument, its not worth very much. Even so, the curious reader or woodworker might enjoy the story below: This type of instrument was actually invented by Friederich Menzenhauer a German who patented it […]
The Google Bassoon Quartet!
One of the neat things about working in a big company is the varied interests you’ll find amongst the people who work there. But where else but at Google could I find not one, but THREE excellent bassoon players? After discovering each other, we worked up a repertoire. We performed a few times that we […]
NPR Cello Project
For more than 10 years, All Things Considered (ATC) used several recordings I produced as musical “bumpers” during the show. The short story is that Richard Aaron, then cello professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music found out that I worked at the local NPR station (WCPN). Richard came up to me one day and […]
A glimpse at the workshop
The workshop (also sometimes referred to as the “man cave”) is where I do my electronics work. He’s a shot of the parts wall. You’ll see the bins which have all of the replacement parts and pieces sorted and ready to be put to use. Also above there are some of my measurement devices. You […]
Passive Amplification System for Outdoor Performance Space
I recently had the opportunity to use my acoustical and musical knowledge to design an acoustical enhancement system into an outdoor stage area. Situation: Acoustic instruments weren’t enough to fill the outdoor space when an audience was present. A large “shell” behind the space is not possible due to local zoning and financial limitations. Also […]