New and modified instruments

For the past few months, I have been making new instruments and modified some of the older ones. Nowadays, I have been focusing on simple folk drums, since I find them to be very forgiving instruments. You can make drums from just about any material and in a variety of ways and still have a drum. Also, tuning some drums is an option rather than being a requirement.

These are cardboard drums. The smallest ones are shown on the left and consist of tape rolls with masking tape drum heads. The shell of the second drum is a mailing tube and the shell of third drum is a tube used for pouring concrete.

I made these two drums from pieces of lumber. Once again, the drum heads are made from masking tape. Many of the following drums have drum heads made from the same material. It is versatile!

This is my big hoop drum.

Here are two small drums carved from a fallen tree branch.

This is a drum with a bamboo shell. Note the shell itself is covered with tape.

I made a few drums from wood and plastic shims. Shims have a variety of uses, including stirring paint. The drum heads in this case are made from a party balloon.

Here is a clay doumbek. Note the drum head is made from masking tape, once again.

Here are three more small drums. Two are made from parts of a fallen tree branch and the third is made from part of a birch tree trunk originally sold as fire wood.

Tamaguino v2

Tamaguino demo

Nano light theremin

Latest animation video: just for the fun of it

Soccer, clay squirrel style

Review of my latest book

I published my latest book, Jonathan's Musical Instruments, this past week. The book is now available in print and in a Kindle edition. Here is a review Deroew wrote for the book. Thank you so very much, Deroew! Beautifully written.

Jonathan’s musical instrument collection is not just book with pictures. It is full of pictures of musical instruments made by Jonathan Brandstater HIMSELF!! I believe music is an art and real musicians are more like healers healing broken hearts. They don’t need branded instruments to make music. It simply takes a heart that understands the rhythm and the creativeness within. Especially the brass and reeds made by Jonathan are unbelievably creative. Plastic bugle which consists of a plastic funnel and tubing is truly amazing.

Percussion instruments were truly mind-blowing. Specially different types of drums which I came across for the first time will definitely take music to a new level. And the best thing is regardless the economic level, any person can make them because most are made from inexpensive things. And those doumbeks!!! I have never heard of them before. This book does not only show the talent of Jonathan, will also introduce you to ancient musical instruments which you never heard of before. I skipped a beat when I saw different types of udu drums which were made by Jonathan. Gourd guiro is another wonderful item which caught my eye. PVC xylophone is another pretty item which you should really look at. Everything is handmade and simple.

Cigar box guitar was my favorite out of all. It can be used as an electric guitar. Now that’s really something. Why are we spending dollars when we can easily make them? Now that was the only question which was on my mind while I went through this amazing collection of Jonathan’s. Folk style ukulele made out of a plastic food container was another creative idea. All of the items which are used to make these instruments are things I throw out. Jonathan had given a real value to them which I never even imagined before.

Different types of clay whistlers and double chambered ocarinas were also something new I came across. I didn’t even know that they exist. Bass ukulele made from recycled banjo parts was another one of my favorites I came across. Native American style flute was another item I that caught my eye. They even have feathers just like the originals. This book consists of more than hundred instruments which are different from one another. Some are found in the ancient history and I thank Jonathan for giving life for those old instruments. I can say that you are a true lover, a lover who loves music from the bottom of your heart. I really recommend this book to all music lovers, no matter how talented you are, it really counts when you make your own instrument. Thank you Jonathan for the great inspiration and I bless you. You are really talented and I loved your collection. Hope to see  more in the future!

Review of my second ebook with Smashwords

Here is a review of my second ebook with Smashwords.com: Jonathan's Cartoon Characters, Book 2. Thank you so very much, deroew. You are the best!

Since I had to stay away from home for almost 3 years because of my higher studies, I always missed the chance to spend some time with my little brother. Last month he had his 8^th birthday and surprisingly, there were no lectures so I could go see him.

We’ve been so close since we were small kids and we were used to surprise each other on our birthdays. And this time it was my turn to give him something that would make him overjoyed. I had a chat with my parents and they asked me to get him a remote control car, but I knew that is not the best thing that I can give him because he deserves way better.

That’s when I heard from Mellissa, who was my best friend since kindergarten; she gave me the idea to go for this Jonathan’s Cartoon Book. At first I had no idea what this would be, giving him a book for his birthday was never my idea. Since I was running out of options, I had to make that choice.

On his birthday morning, I gave him this Jonathan’s cartoon book, he was so happy to see me in the first place and then he was concerned about the book. He grabbed the book and went through the pages in a hurry; I could see the happiness through his eyes. He was really enjoying the moment. He came running back to me and hugged me tight and said, “I love these drawings”.

I was so happy because I made that choice; Jonathan’s cartoon book is the best drawing you can find, with all these amazing drawings on imaginary animals.  Small kids will certainly love this book because these drawings are amazingly beautiful and attractive.  I kept a copy for myself also because I was also impressed with the drawings. Jonathan, you are truly awesome. Thank you so much