Playing on a swing is the simplest form of childish fun; playing together with friends or people you just met on swings and making random music is a true Burning Man experience. A total of six swing sets arranged in a hexagonal shape plays beautiful music as people ride the swings and trigger the bells. Each swing set incorporates two swing seats, for a total of 12 actual swings. Each individual swing triggers the sound of a distinct and different bell tone; all 12 swings together sound like a Carillon of church bells. I have made many bells and gongs from recycled fire extinguishers, gas cylinders and fuel tanks. I plan to tune a set of 12 harmonic bells, mount each individual bell above each swing, and construct a bell striker on a pole fastened to each swing support. 2014 Honoraria
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Musical Swings by Ron Simmer

Photo by: Wendell DeLano

Year: 2014

Image Caption: 

Playing on a swing is the simplest form of childish fun; playing together with friends or people you just met on swings and making random music is a true Burning Man experience. A total of six swing sets arranged in a hexagonal shape plays beautiful music as people ride the swings and trigger the bells. Each swing set incorporates two swing seats, for a total of 12 actual swings. Each individual swing triggers the sound of a distinct and different bell tone; all 12 swings together sound like a Carillon of church bells. I have made many bells and gongs from recycled fire extinguishers, gas cylinders and fuel tanks. I plan to tune a set of 12 harmonic bells, mount each individual bell above each swing, and construct a bell striker on a pole fastened to each swing support. 2014 Honoraria

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