Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Six New Marimba Builders

The world now has 6 new marimba builders following last weekends workshop.

Tom, David from NY, Dennis from WA, Karin from MN, Mark and Kris and Laura (not shown) from WA
This is as cool a marimba as has come out of my shop. Buzzes nicely too.
We all signed our masterpiece

Monday, June 15, 2015

Barb's New Marimba

Here's a great new marimba built by a Workshop Alum, Barb Durno. 
Check out the fine detailing and unique design!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Next Marimba Building Workshop, June 19-21

Weekend class with marimba builder Tom Bourne

Where: Bourne Marimbas in Bellingham, Washington USA

Cost: $300, plus your accommodation and food

Learn everything you need to know about building marimbas for your local school or marimba band. Since 1995, Tom Bourne has built around 1500 marimbas of all sizes for schools and invites you to his shop to share his knowledge.

We will focus on the fabrication and tuning of marimba bars, since that is the single most challenging aspect of making a marimba.

Also in the workshop we will explore the acoustics of marimba bars and resonators, along with ways of constructing and outfitting frames of all sizes. Discussions will include wood selection and various practical matters for builders, with plenty of time to address special concerns and gain experience with various woodworking tools. We can also discuss the possibilities for your marimba project, focusing on how to plan and design your instrument.

Bellingham, Washington is located just south of the Canadian border between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. It is near all kinds of great activities on the water and in the mountains. Bellingham has a modern airport with direct flights to Denver, Las Vegas and other cities in the western USA.

This class is suitable for adults and teens who can use, or are willing to learn to use, a few basic power tools and hand tools safely.  Helpful also is the ability to distinguish musicals pitches relative to one another (which of two tones is higher or lower, for instance). If you have any concerns regarding your qualifications, let me know and we can figure it out.

I can provide suggestions in procuring lodging in Bellingham, many options available.

Class limited to 7.

See below at this blog for info on previous sessions. Session by session, the world is getting MORE marimba builders!

To sign up or for further questions, contact Tom at:


Bournemarimbas@gmail.com

Zimma Rimba at TMEA, San Antonio, Texas


Here's some great music from Zimma Rimba, performing last weekend at the Texas Music Educator's Conference on their Bourne Marimabs (plus others). The piece at about minute 17 is my favorite.


Friday, January 23, 2015

The world now has 4 more marimba builders

Alice and dad Dale (Bothell, WA),
Nick (Portland, OR) and Dave (Anacortes, WA)





Stay tuned for the next edition of Tom's Marimba Building Workshop