All about string instruments with Ed Devane

Stringed instruments come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and play a key role in traditional music from many cultures. Lutes and zithers are the main categories, and many stringed instruments have components and structural requirements in common. Join sound artist and instrument builder Ed Devane in this exploration of string instruments for Hotter Than July. You'll take a deep dive into practical instrument building using everyday materials, where broad concerns such as physical forces, playability, aesthetics and craft will be discussed and applied.
Materials you can use to make your own string instrument at home include:
string - this can be an actual instrument string, or fishing line, rubber bands, thread, wire etc. that can be tensioned without breaking.
container - that will act as a resonator to make the sound of the strings louder. Cardboard boxes, thick plastic containers, wine boxes etc. Anything strong and hollow.
assorted other parts and tools - you don't need everything on this list but these are the sorts of things you'll need - we can improvise with whatever's at hand though. kebab skewers / wooden dowel / matchsticks, short wood screws, broom handle / pallet plank / wood that might seem of a useful size, sheet cardboard, wood glue / superglue / hot glue, scissors, pliers, saw if using wood, pencil, paper.
Hotter than July was presented by Improvised Music Company and funded by Dublin City Council, and you can now watch performances and activities from Cuban salsa to Indonesian gamelan at hotterthanjuly.ie
Lear more about Ed Devane and any upcoming workshops at www.eddevane.com/ or follow him on Facebook @eddevanemusic.
To learn more about Improvised Music Company's upcoming activities check out improvisedmusic.ie or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @improvisedmusic