The

Mechanical Music Monstrosity

What do you get when you mix a two-string ukulele, elements of a violin, model
car parts and 9 volts of electricity? The end result is the Mechanical Musical
Monstrosity, one of 3 instruments devised by our group for the Build a Band project. The
MMM operates on the 'circular bow' principle, the same found in the eastern European
Hurdy Gurdy. The design includes a wooden flywheel coated in rosin that spins against
the two strings, rather like the bow of a violin. The flywheel is turned by a 9v electric
motor controlled by 3 switches. Switch 1 is power, sending 9v to switches 2 and 3.
Switch 2 comes after several resistors, bring the voltage down to around 6.5v. Switch 3
is a booster that sends about 8v to the motor. The strings are tuned to the pitches G3
and D3, although this can be varied by the screw-controlled tuners located beneath the
resonance box or placing your fingers on the fingerboard. When the flywheel strikes the
strings, the strings vibrate, sending pressure waves to our ears, our brain interpreting
them as the lovely music you hear. The strings also resonate against the piezoelectric
pickup mounted to the side of the instrument. The pickup converts the vibrations to
electrical pulses sent to an amplifier.