Recent Commissions
Some recent commissions that have been particularly rewarding are shown below. Please click on the images for more details, some may even have a video available.
Elm is not generally considered a musical wood, some years ago a fellow maker of healing instruments put me in touch with some special properties of it’s sound with regard to the breath. It seems that there is a subtle link between ease of breathing and the nature of Elm. As this wood is not easy to get today this is my first piece and begins some research into this link.
The 16 string Bridging Bowl is one of my favourite designs. With plenty of notes combined with handy size and the sculptural richness of the crossed fans whose pattern touches the heart so deeply. This one is Sycamore was commissioned by Jonathon Barnett, founder of Sound Travels, The UK’s premier site for sound healing instruments, articles and discussion. The clear white Sycamore sets off the dark and light berry pegs with a clarity that I find quite magical.
The worldwide reputation of Sounding Bowls has led to commissions for other unusual musical creations from here and there around the world. This piece was made to an image and notes received in meditation by someone concerned with the care and education of intellectually challenged children. The main shape is a geometric copy of the great pyramid of Cheops and the strings strike a rising chord of thirds and fifths on E G B. it now forms the centre piece of an indoor play area.
Number 223 is English Yew. A totally gorgeous, eye catching wood with a subtle tone with immense inner strength. 10 strings diatonic tuning, tuned A - c.
A 12 string Bridging Bowl in Yew with a warm and firm tone this piece was commissioned by a professional performing musician. At 14½ inches it is slightly smaller than standard and tuned from A to e. you can click on the image to hear this one.
Sycamore can be a very calm wood, the Silvery light of this one, number 218 and the berry style pegs reflect a clear, strong tone that was particularly appealing to the autistic gentleman who chose it. His visit to the workshop was a highlight of the month as his normal disengagement with the world and total deafness to it’s voice was replaced with a quiet reaching out and very warm smiles at this one and two others that he played. His carers, mother and brother were particularly delighted when he responded to the question of making a choice with an active gesture towards this Sounding Bowl.
Number 229 this unusual Bridging Bowl in Yew was commissioned by someone for whom 13 was a special number. Regrettably they were unable to complete on the purchase and are now offering the bowl for service elsewhere. Yew wood is very strong in colour and tone, associated with deep rooting strength. The tuning pegs are specially made with dimpled tops to facilitate using crystal energy in healing. By placing the crystal into the dimple it’s energy may be closely tied to that note..
Number 226 is a Heart Bowl in Yew with a remarkably plangent tone the natural holes in the body combine with the light weight to make a rare and powerful instrument. Please click here to see it being played on You-Tube.
This Lyre Bowl is from the same tree as the one pictured above, the grain is full of interest and action. The tone is clear, strong and warm. It was commissioned by a child behaviour therapist in the Netherlands who is making a reputation for herself with novel and effective techniques based around movement co-ordination. Re-establishing harmony in the bodies movement capabilities affects inner wellbeing, emotional and mental agility and abilities.
This Ash wood Lyre Bowl is unusually light in colour. I had planned to contrast this with red and black, thinking of Alchemical imagery when my six year old daughter called it “Snow White” I think she was right on the spot there. You will remember how that tale begins with the young queen sighing over red drops of blood on the snow against a black window frame. No.224
222 has more strings than any I have yet made. At 27 inch I managed 20 strings in a Bridging pattern. A beautiful piece of Ash wood from Wales provided the body and an extremely rich tone, cathedral-like in it’s timbre and fullness. It now lives with a Harp Orchestra in New Zealand.
It is fun to play with colour sometimes, it can bring a little light relief in life. Ash respond very well to woodstains, in this Hermetic Bowl, No215, the light in the wood glows through beautifully. For me maroon and green are tree colours, berry and leaf. The coloured ones have been popular, most woods can be coloured to order though Ash is the most responsive.
Number 210 is exceptional for it’s depth. The client listened to many and decided on a particularly deep Melody Bowl. Luckily I had just such a piece of Ash drying for two years in preparation. The pentatonic tuning was also an important part of the spec.
The Blue One. A mix of different types of blue stain intensified the colour in this pentatonic Lyre Bowl. This was one of my Austrian apprentice, Ramon’s finale pieces and is deeply loved by the client who calls it "Bella".
