CL Arts

Naturally resonant, gourds have been used to craft a variety of
musical instruments. Here are a few that I enjoy creating.....
For prices and availability please email me at
ezmaclee@comcast.net

This little instrument is not only easy to play, but creates
surprisingly beautiful music! It's one of my favorites.

Each mbira is made with a hardwood laminate sound board and 12 keys (1 1/2 octaves). The gourd
resonator to which the sound board is attached is approximately 6" wide x 10" long. The range of
resonance for these gourds is from a C to a lower G. I include an excellent instruction book which
shows tuning and playing techniques along with 16 different songs.

This large bushel gourd is approx. 10"h x 16"w; with a 52" circumference
It is pyroengraved and colored with translucent stains.
It is played by inserting your hands into the sound holes at the top to hold it free, as you use your thumbs
to strum the keys. It has an appropriately big sound and makes a beautiful display of art when resting on a
plant stand.

Large African Shekerie -
approx. 13"h x 10 1/2" dia.
stained, pyroengraved,
waxed linen & glass beads

Small size shekerie - approx. 14"h x 7"dia.
pyroengraved, waxed linen & glass beads
Sound hole at base makes great sound

Mountain Dulcimer
also know as an Appalacian, lap, hourglass, or fretted dulcimer
I'm very proud of this finely crafted folk instrument!

A relative of the zither, this folk
instrument came to the U.S. with
German and Northern European
settlers. Today, this beautiful
instrument enjoys an unique and
important place in American music.

The fret board of my dulcimers are
constructed of hardwood with a
pyroengraved spruce sound board.
The resonator is fashioned with two
large gourds joined at their necks in a
traditional hourglass shape, also
pyroengraved and, of course, signed
by the artist. Constructing the
resonator with gourd naturally
enhances it's beautiful sound. The
entire instrument is finished with
several coats of protective tung oil.

As you gently tilt it back and forth steel shot rolls across the
drum head sounding like the rolling waves.
This large gourd, approx. 18" dia., is pyroengraved with a
Maori tattoo design.
The drum head is tacked goat skin and can also be played like
a regular drum.

I made a natural hemp macrame hanger for this drum so
it can be handsomely displayed on the wall.