50 Hands, a Household Orchestra — Book, workshop

50 Hands is a book that allows participants to become part of a fully-fledged Orchestra. Regardless of musical ability, you will be able to play popular classics within just one hour. Inspired by Change Ringing - Outside the church environment, Bell Ringers would memorise their musical sequences through the use of Hand Bells.

Each page is cut to a pretuned length, which is torn out, rolled and attached to a length of straw to transform the book into a series of whistles. Participants play together following a conductor, which is on the included DVD following corresponding symbols progressing through
the levels until they can play completely unaided.

Developed for The Cover of a Book is the Beginning
of a Journey exhibition at the Arnolfini, Bristol accompanied with a performance with the Cube
Orchestra in January 2009.