Ring Rattle
Upper portion for a drum - note lip
Magic Water & Slip
Rainstick
Our First Rattles
Teresa Gagne
Teresa demonstrated how to throw a drum in two parts, how to make rattles from pinch pots as well as, how to make rainsticks using stainless steel rods. We had the opportunity to listen to clay instruments and check out the lovely book, entitled From Mud to Music. There were a number of instruments there to look at.
Ensuing Discussions
Vicki brought in one of her own hand-made flutes - wow, her knowledge is impressive. We are thinking of setting aside another Saturday - possibly in January, to make more instruments. Vicki suggested that these be lent to musicians to create a short improvisational piece to be recorded for our exhibition. Louise brought in slides from a German Exhibition in Cologne entitled "Ceramics and Sound" - which will be on view at the next meeting.
Slip
Teresa used dried pieces of 370 clay we were using, to grind into a powder. Water is added to the powder to arrive at a consistency of thick yoghurt. Be sure to add a drop or two of deflocculant to the water:
A deflocculant can be thought of as preventing the clay particles from "flocking" together (like sheep!) or getting lumpy. Technically, it is an electrolyte, which is an alkali, that changes the charge on the molecules or clay particles, causing them to repel each other like magnets which in turn makes the mixture more fluid.
- SODIUM
SILICATE ‘N’ The most economical and commonly used deflocculant for clay
-
SODA
ASH Traditionally used as a secondary deflocculant with Sodium Silicate
-
DARVAN
#7 Originally formulated as a glaze deflocculant, it is often used to
"fine tune" a slip using the above two deflocculants or even in place
of them.
-
DARVAN
#811 A newer replacement for Darvan #7 specifically formulated
-
for
slip clays but not yet in widespread usage.
Coloring
Slip
may be colored using oxides or stains but it is difficult to keep the colorants
in suspension and prevent streaking, especially with oxides which are larger
particle sizes. The deflocculant may have to be increased, especially if 5
to10% colorant is added for a deep color.
Magic Water Recipe (Lana Wilson)
3 tbs. liquid Sodium Silicate
1.5 tsp. Soda Ash
1 gallon water
1.5 tsp. Soda Ash
1 gallon water