The Fence Chronicles 1: Resonator Research

The Winton Fence Development Chronicles 1: Resonator Research

In 2002 I was asked by the then director of the Queensland Music Festival, Lyndon Terracinini, if I would be interested to build a ‘musicaI fence.’ ‘How big?’ I asked. ‘As big as you like.’ ‘What from?’ ‘Anything you want.’ I accepted the challenge and got down to some research.

I wanted the Musical Fence to work acoustically. I had heard the beautiful amplified fences of Jon Rose and wanted to achieve a similar sound without any PA system. I did a lot of experimenting with resonators, looked into the way pianos worked, and consulted with colleagues on the physics and the maths. I had to tackle the challenge of adapting to the harsh outback environment. The breakthrough came during resonator trials in Mansfield, where the idea to invert the sound box and mount it under the protection of a park-shelter type structure unfolded. This video showcases the groundwork of this approach, featuring early resonator configurations on the ground.

View inside prototype resonator box showing ribs to radiate sound akin to piano soundboard

Resonator box under shelter. Central bridge carries vibrations from the wires to the soundboard.

Audience Backstage BBC Bells Boats Choir Community Music Concert Hall Drips Eco Opera Ensemble Ewe Tube Free Girgarre Installation Junkestra Musical Fence Radios Reel to Reel Retro Reviews SAVED Semaphore Solo Spaghetti Western Orchestra SWO Tape Delay Tape Loops Tin Cans Up-cycled Winton