If your wheels are turning with these pieces, and you have a clarinet, saxophone or flute sitting, rusting in a closet, basement or attic, it's very easy to remove the keys without damaging the instrument. You'll see the keys are attached to sections of long rods. On one end of the rod is a screw that can be easily removed to loosen the rod and pull the keys off. These screws are used to adjust and regulate the keys and make sure they're level over the air holes and seal properly when closed. When the instrument receives service, these screws are an easy way for repair techs to work around difficult keys and problem areas. A lot of these keys are angled in ways that make for some interesting design ideas.
I resisted playing flute at first. I was crestfallen because my heart was set on learning the saxophone; I wanted to be just like those famous jazz players I'd heard, like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and David Sanborn. The classic rock my dad had me listening to had a lot of tenor sax solos; Pink Floyd's Money is always going to stand out in my head as one of my favourite instrument solos. I had moved to a new school where everybody got to pick their instruments already, and I was the new kid stuck with the leftovers, this time being the flute. I still enjoyed it, and found it to be less maintenance than what the saxophone players had to deal with. My musical tastes had expanded, as well, listening to Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, my biggest exposure thus far to 'rock flute', and I will eternally be moved by James Galway's music, especially with his involvement in the Lord of the Rings score.
Both my parents had the desire to pick up instruments as hobbies, no less, but have found the rewards of playing through acquiring a new form of expression. My stepmom loves playing her banjo and practices regularly. My parents are artistic people whom I credit for being one of my inspirations for trying new things in all of my crafts. So, these pieces would attribute to folks like them who support me in expressing myself through my art.
So, as you can see, jewelry isn't the only art I express myself in, and jewelry isn't the only thing you can turn those old instruments into! My assistant manager, Dan, has turned a few defunct instruments into fantastic lamps, an idea he had when he found a site called GuitarLamp.com. He had bought a lamp-making kit at Michaels and made his first lamp out of a clarinet. He's made a few more so far out of a flute, bass clarinet, and I believe he has a french horn on the way. A great conversation piece!
In an era of self-expression and DIY solutions, those sentimental items you have stored away in keepsake boxes can be displayed beautifully, however suits your personality. And however you choose to display them will certainly shine a new aspect that will surprise everyone!
Photography credit: Brian O'Brien, Cassandra Watsham
1 comment:
I have an old flute (not silver) that I was told by a music store cannot be made playable. Do you want it to create art with? Any other ideas for how to reuse it? Please let me know, thanks!
Evelyn
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