"Baltimore Rhapsody" Block #12 - the bassoon, the bass of the woodwinds

The bassoon rounds out the woodwind section of the "Baltimore Rhapsody" symphony blocks.  (Read more about the "Baltimore Rhapsody" project here.)

The body of the bassoon is wooden and would stretch to 8 feet long if it wasn't doubled up so that the player can reach all the keys.  The longer the instrument's body or tubing, the lower the sound.  The bassoon plays in the bass and tenor range...very low.

A thin, metal tube, or bocal, connects the body of the instrument to the double reed...two pieces of reed that are tied together and trimmed carefully to make the mouthpiece.

Air blown through this double reed causes the reeds to vibrate to produce the tone in the same way as the oboe and English horn.  Some people consider the distinctive bassoon sound to be the "comedian" or "clown" of the orchestra.

The bassoon represented the comical, ever-increasing, enchanted brooms carrying buckets of water in the Disney cartoon Fantasia's version of  "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Dukas.

It can also play sweet melodies or whisper the deep tragic feelings expressed in the opening of Tchaikowsky's "Pathetique" Symphony #6.

Remember the "59th Street Bridge Song" by Simon and Garfunkel (also called "Feelin' Groovy")?  The bassoon was featured prominently in that top 40 hit of 1966 (probably the only pop song to feature a bassoon...).

The bassoon was invented in 1600.  It is used in orchestras, bands, and woodwind quintets (along with flute, oboe, clarinet and French horn).

Next, on to the string section of the orchestra!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

"Baltimore Rhapsody" Block #10 - the flute

Block #10 of "Baltimore Rhapsody" is the flute block, the third of four central woodwinds in an orchestra and the only one in which the tone is not produced using a vibrating reed.  Flutes are considered to be in the whistle family, which can be traced back to stone-aged man.  Ancient man made flutes from what was at hand - bone, wood, clay.  Early instruments had no holes, therefore only played a single tone.  As holes were added, it was possible to play tunes.  

The sound is produced by blowing air over the hole in the mouthpiece end of the instrument.  The flute is about 2 feet long and sounds the lowest tone when all the holes are covered...as the holes are uncovered, the tone gets higher and higher.

The flute, along with its close cousin, the recorder, have long been considered "pastoral" instruments - the slender shape makes it a convenient and easy choice for shepherds.  They would fill the countless hours with their flocks carving and playing simple flutes and recorders.

One odd member of the flute family associated with indigenous people of Hawaii and southeast Pacific areas is the nose flute.  Yep...it is played by blowing air out one nostril into the instrument while the remaining nostril is held closed.  No comment.

Flutes appeared in European orchestras in the early 1600's.  They were the natural choice for both sweet, calm melodies and acrobatic, active parts.  They are often used to represent the sound of bird song.

Orchestras typically have three flutes, with the third one switching back and forth between playing flute and piccolo, the smallest, highest member of the flute family.

In addition to the orchestra, the versatile flute can be found in woodwind quintets (with oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn), concert bands, and as solo instruments in pop, folk, jazz, rock, and church music.  If you love traditional marches, like those written by John Phillip Sousa,  you have heard the bright trill of the piccolo.
 

"Baltimore Rhapsody" is a collection of instrument patterns that I am drawing/designing.  Each block finishes 15 inches and is designed in the Baltimore album style.  The patterns will be sold individually so that the quiltmaker can assemble the "band" of his or her choice.

I am focusing on the orchestral instruments first and am now trying to decide whether this quilt will contain 16 or 20 blocks...probably 16.  Then I will add folk, church, and jazz instrument blocks in addition to a few surprises.

My thoughts and prayers are with those of you on the East coast, anticipating the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

On the "DL" for 2 days, and other nerdy stuff...

It is baseball playoff season and I am finding that I have something in common with Major League Baseball pitchers...I have put myself on the "DL" (disabled list) for a couple of days.  I actually have an applique "boo boo" that needs to heal.

Overlooking my bad manicure, see the skin above my thumbnail?  I keep sticking myself, over and over, with my super-sharp applique needle as I take quick, little stitches.  Ow-WE!  I need a metal guard to wear over the area...I wonder if anyone makes one?!?

With all the little doo-dads that make up some of these musical instruments I have been stitching, I find myself  "choking up" on the bat unstitched little pieces, willing them to stay in place as I stitch.  I've never had this problem before!

When I hand quilt and stick my fingertips repeatedly, I get nice calluses that harden up, protect me, and DON'T BLEED.  This injury bleeds, as I have a knack for sticking the same places...REPEATEDLY, and I have been reminded that "your own spit removes your own blood" from fabric (our mouths have enzymes that only recognize OUR blood and work to remove it!).  We are amazing beings, aren't we?

So, in my down time, I've gone to the bull pen for other things that need to be done. 

My daughter and I created her Halloween mask.  Are any of you out there familiar with "Portal 2," the video game?  She wants to be the evil computer "Glados" (my nerdy daughter can never be anything normal...sigh).

The actual Glados...

What Riley is aiming for...(something like this girl).

She is also happy because she found campaign buttons that combine her love for Dr. Who, Harry Potter, and Nerd Fighters with her choice of Obama for president.

Meanwhile, Weasley is dealing with substance abuse problems.  He can't keep from "stapling" all my quilt pattern zip loc baggies with his sharp kitty teeth (also loves sheet pocket protectors and cellophane tape, the rascal).

 And, he is also strongly attracted to warm, folded laundry.

One final nerdy note...do you know about www.spoonflower.com?  You can submit your own original drawings to have printed on fabric, or browse and purchase what other people have submitted.  I found some nerdalific "Dr. Who" and "Portal 2" themed fabrics, destined to be pillowcases for my nerdy 15-yr-old.  (They actually have a category for geek stuff...I love it!)

I also bought a fat quarter for me...some Obama fabric designed by Barbara Brackman (adapted from a repro fabric...).

Really...this is definitely the last thing...I think I have solved my "not being able to comment" problem on Blogger.  I have switched BACK to Internet Explorer as my browser (also made sure the "keep me signed in" box was unclicked).  I used to have problems with this browser, which is why I started using Firefox, but now I have switched back. 

Also, I am getting way too much spam, therefore, I AM TURNING OFF ALLOWING COMMENTS FROM "ANONYMOUS" BLOGGERS.  Sorry, but it was either that or turn on recognition tool, which really discourages people from commenting.  I really like getting comments!  If you are Anonymous," you can always email me with your comments/questions, and I hope I will be able to access you to send a response.  If you don't hear from me, I guess it didn't work.  It's free to get a Google account that allows you to comment on blogs...it's worth the effort.

Good luck to your favorite play-off baseball teams!  My Atlanta Braves are out, but my Detroit Tigers are still in!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)