Library of Musical Instruments - Niigata

Musical Instrument Building as a Community Project

The Library of Musical Instruments (2024) is a project realized in the context of the YUI-PORT Artist in Residence Program in Niigata (JP).

The work follows the duo’s ongoing practice of designing unique musical instruments that combine simple materials: in this case, recycled wood and metal from the residency’s storage space was combined with simple electronic amplification to create string and percussion instruments. The centerpiece of the library is two instruments that are intended to be shared by multiple musicians while playing: a 17 note amadinda and an 8 note string instrument with moveable bridges reminiscent of the diddley bow.

The library seeks to foster self-directed learning, and explore innovative approaches to the creation and diffusion of new musical approaches. Each instrument is unique, an ad hoc creation that everyone can borrow, take home, and use at will before returning it back to the community space.

As part of our activities, we also directed an afternoon workshop open to participants of any age. We introduced them to simple rhythmic ideas and we implemented small exercises in groups. Drawing some parallelisms between spoken syllables and rhtyhmic units, we prepared a small final performance.

Photo credits: Osamu Nakamura
Photo courtesy: YUI-PORT (Niigata City Center for Creative Arts and International Youth Exchange)