G'day again ...

I don't know what I pressed then, but it decided I was submitting the message!

I will carry on from the questions:

I have a few questions after looking at the Lark in the Morning catalogue:

1/ The pictures don't show curvature - are bones usually flat, or curved, in US usage (about 40/60 on a random sample of players at this year's National Folk Festival)?

2/ The copy suggests that most of the woods used in the 'bones' in the catalogue are laminated. I can see that this is a good manufacturing technique to get controlled density and high strength but is not very applicable to home making of 'bones'. I am interested in what people do with only basic workshop facilities and the materials at hand.

(My interest in 'bones' arises from an interest in the effect that reliance on portable and makeshift instruments has had on Australian musical traditions - something that would have a lot of common ground with the American experience.)

3/ The catalogue offers a variety of shapes. Does this sort of variation arise from playing considerations or from the showmanship that underlies most bones playing?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bob Bolton

Extra note for Bo: I don't see any way to post JPEGs on Mudcat (and that would tie up valuable resources). I would be happy to send a few small JPEGs directly to you if you are still interested.

You could give me an appropriate email address directly to mine: if you don't want to post yours.

Regards,

Bob Bolton