A=440

Please note- Since we started making these instruments our basic design has been copied by several competitors who 'cut and paint' and bypass the tuning stage. Please ask to hear sound samples of the instruments before purchasing.

Because B3 makes melodic instruments, it is important that you give consideration to the usage that you anticipate for them.

Instruments are available as single bars or as a range of modular matched-sets to gives user flexibility and expandabilty as space and budgets allow.

For each of the grouped tunings, a resolution (reso) key is recommended. The reso key is generally an octave above the starting note (tonic); although part of another octave it is felt to complete the scale. e.g. a C Maj Pentatonic scale is CDEGA and C will be the reso key.

Pentatonic  

Listen to the two octave scale played on a small and medium combined set as illustrated 

There are only 5 notes in the scale. Each note will harmonise with every other note and there are no 'unpleasant' combinations. No musical skill whatsoever is required to interact musically.

This Pentatonic tuning is recommended generally. Because of the universality of the tuning; It can accommodate as many players as can physically access the striking areas of the instrument.

The melodic capabilities of the instrument are limited by the absence of two notes. In C Major the pentatonic scale is C D E G A.

Single Bars 

Available in any note in any octave of the 12 note western scale. Microtonal tunings are available at any frequency +/- 5c.

Five main tunings

• Pentatonic - 5 notes
• Diatonic - 7 notes
• Chromatic - 12 notes

Orff Instruments 

Orff instruments are teaching instruments that are client-adjustable. In the form of keyboard / chime based instruments this means the temporary removal of selected playing keys/bars.In this case, an adjustable diatonic or chromatic instrument may be appropriate.

Orff instruments require a different installation approach because of the removability of the playing keys. You should consider your security options for exterior Orff instruments

Specialist Tunings 

• Modes
  • Ionian
  • Dorian
  • Phrygian
  • Lydian
  • Myxolidian
  • Aeolian
  • Locrian
• Microtonal tuning potential

Diatonic 

A Diatonic scale is the Pentatonic scale including those omitted two notes. 'F' & 'B' in our Cmaj exmple. It is now a 7 note scale e.g. C D E F G A B. This represents the white notes on the piano keyboard.

Using this scale a significantly greater range of melodies is available however dissonant or unpleasant note combinations become possible.

This tuning is primarily intended for a teaching or performing instrument, please assess your intended use of the instrument in this light or feel free to them with Paul.

Chromatic 

The chromatic scale is the diatonic plus the addition of the 5 sharps [#] and flats [b]: C# Eb F# G# Bb which are equivalent to the black notes on the Piano keyboard. These black notes also comprise a pentatonic scale

This gives a 12 tone scale and is the standard scale for western music.

Diatonic to Chromatic Converter 

The Sharps and flats (or equivalent for your scale) to convert a diatonic scale into a chromatic scale