Music Machine Kit

An ingenious kit to make a mechanical xylophone: turn the handle and the pegs on the barrel drive ‘hammers’ which strike the metal bars to play a tune. Echoing the technology of pinned barrel-music boxes, the London-based clockmaker Nicholas Vallin (active c.1565-1603) employed a similar, miniaturised technology in his musical clocks. An example from 1598 included a programmable pinned barrel which played music by striking bells. With step-by-step instructions, press-out plywood parts and slot-together construction. Create an intriguing instrument without glue then arrange the pegs to play six simple tunes, including ‘London Bridge’, ‘Twinkle Twinkle’, ‘Are You Sleeping Brother John?’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ (plus two blank grids to make your own compositions). A marvellous musical contraption which will enchant and intrigue all ages.

Constructed model c.30 x 18 x 26cm
233 parts – lasercut plywood, plastic pegs/handle, rubber bands, felt and metal bars
59-page instruction booklet
Six music sheets plus two blank sheets
33.5 x 30 x 5cm box
Age 8+
Card and paper can be recycled
Some parts packed in cello bags – widely recycled with soft plastics