We’ve found that kids just don’t even care if they know how to play music… they are all experts at play. This is an example of what some children will do when left alone with a set of bells. Parents, listen the other way!
This is a friction harp. It’s made from tuned aluminum rods that I play by rubbing them with my hands. I use rosin to help create the proper friction. I’m playing the classic folk tune, The Water is Wide. I’m accompanying myself with electronic keyboard and harmonica.
I’m also a rock hound. When I have time, i dive offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and hunt for Petoskey Stones, beautiful and unique fossils of ancient corals. I thinly slice the stones, then tune them by cutting pieces away. I’m left with this little instrument. Enjoy!
Ahhhh. This is the most complicated instrument I’ve ever built. It’s comprised of a central, massive, rotating steel drum that triggers the bells above to play as it turns. It can also be played via midi triggers from my keyboard. It was built for the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids in the summer of 2012.
This is one of my fun junkyard or toolbox instruments. Made entirely of discarded workshop tools that should be familiar to anyone. I’m playing Ode to Joy.
This is a short video of my musical sculpture installation, Walk of Grace. This is my most popular large-scale sculpture. There are variations of this design in parks, museums, art galleries, and private collections across the USA.
This is the largest commission I have built to date. 41 bells make up the first stanza of My Country ‘Tis of Thee. It was built for and installed in the City of Mount Vernon, Ohio. It sits on the riverside in the park adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce and the veterans memorial. This video was taken while we were testing it after recieving it back from the powder-coating team.
Our simplest of sculptures, made from steel and granite. Tom’s daughter Elise, playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
A short video of Tom playing Amazing Grace on his Kinderbells sculpture. A popular piece for libraries, communities, and children’s gardens. It’s designed to easily allow anyone to play simple songs. We even have color-coded music sheets available on our website for free download.