Instrument playing mask

On August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 By Amy YeeIn Crafts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

With COVID and mask wearing requirements it seem like live music has pretty much ceased. But with more groups starting up but requiring mask wearing, I’ve been scouring the internet for playing mask ideas. Unfortunately there really isn’t much there. So here’s the results of my attempt using one of my favorite 3D breathable mask pattern with a more or less self magnetic closure design.

Here’s the playing mask when not in use. There are three magnets across the opening so it is more or less sealed. And since the mask sits pretty well on my face and stays there, I’m satisfied. (The sketchy look on my face is me trying to figure out how to take a selfie)

Here’s me more or less playing with my saxophone (and trying to take a selfie) . Because it’s based off of a 3D mask, once the mouthpiece is in the mask, there’s nothing to get in the way between my lip and the reed. I was able to practice with it on, popping the saxophone in and out between songs. No problems breathing (after all, this is the mask design that I use for exercising). There was a learning curve though where I stood in front of the mirror trying to figure out the best way to insert the mouthpiece without messing up the reed.

Me posing with Nathaniel’s clarinet. (Anyone notice what’s wrong with this picture?) Again no interference with playing when Nathaniel played with the mask on. So I’m assuming that it should work the same for the other reed instruments as well.

Trumpet mouthpiece slides in. So does a trombone mouthpiece. Though the trombone mouthpiece left a fairly big opening unless you manually make sure that the magnets close up around the shank. Again this is not my instrument. I can barely play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on a trumpet.

And of course we’ve got to get the flute in. No I don’t play the flute either but I can make sound with the head joint with the mask on and Glorianna was able to play with this other mask. Why does flute have to be so different.

Anyway just thought that I’d share my mask solutions. May live music continue…

https://youtu.be/wy-ctEVcMIM BTW Here’s a quick video of me using the mask.

Mini popsicle stick bucket

On March 5, 2019March 11, 2019 By Amy YeeIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

We’re doing the lesson for woman at the well. This will work for Mary and Martha as well.

Materials:

14 mini popscicle sticks or you can cut regular sized popsicle sticks to the desired height of the bucket.
1 piece of paper (1-1/2″x6-1/2″) exact measurement isn’t important. I use cardstock for better support.
3oz dixie cup
Glue
A strip of duck tape 6-1/2″ ish. Long enough to go around the bucket
Optional: A strip of parchment paper about the size of the duck tape to help with cutting
Optional: markers and other things to decorate bucket

Glue popcicle sticks to the paper strip starting flush with one edge of the paper and the paper centered. Make sure they are next to each other and the bottoms line up.

If you want to draw on the bucket, now is the time. It’s a lot easier to draw on a flat surface.

Here’s one that I drew on. Its It’s a true masterpiece right?

Glue the overhanging part of the paper to make a tube.

Cut off the top half of the dixie cup. Slide the cup half way down from the top of the bucket. From the bottom of the bucket put a line of glue along the middle insideof the bucket. Push the cup down and and affix in place. Ignore the glue along the cup in the picture, that attempt didn’t hold.

Affix the duck tape to the parchment paper–great trick for easy cutting of duck tape but really optional. Cut two long thin strips to wrap around the bucket, another strip for the handle (mine was about 5″x3/4″) and two small pieces to tape the handle to the bucket.

Ignore my bad cutting job. I’ve come to rely too heavily on my guillotine paper cutters. They do work with duck tape on parchment paper with no sticky mess. But for thin strips you might need a bit of speed to make it work well.

Remove the parchment paper backings. Tape the thin strips around the bucket.

Fold/roll up the strip for the handle.

Finaly tape the handle to the bucket. I found it easier to put the tape on the handle first. Of course glue dots or hot glue gun would also work, but I already have the duck tape sitting around.