G'day Eluned,

Like Naemanson, I also make rhythm bones - I have made some 80 sets with more that 40 different woods - mostly Australian hardwoods, but also a range of lighter timbers, right down to some of our native pines. I'm not sure I have yet learnt anything definitive about woods (versus what I do with them). I also haven't yet made any as good as those my Dad made!

I also made about 20 assorted large (PVC and aluminium)whistles in 1999 - getting back to whistles after a 3 decade hiatus. I think I have digested the lessons from them and might have another making flurry when summer heads back to the antipodes.

Since I have a specific interest in the place of portable and improvised instruments in the Australian tradition, I have dabbled in some strange areas of things that use up leftover items and jingle or twang along with the music - even done some childrens' workshop on these for the Australian Museum.

Regards,

Bob Bolton