Category: Jam Table

Keys for the Jam Table

The second instrument I installed was the easiest to build: I pulled a set of keys from XyloVan’s Keyboard 3, the treble set that used to live on the van’s sliding door. C4 to Eflat5.

I wanted to shape the array to flow better visually with the circular table top, and speak to the position of the propane tank drum that will be mounted opposite it. I also didn’t want to let it dominate the real estate.

So I laid it out the keys on a curved keyboard, and then mounted the accidentals a quarter inch or so above the naturals, leaving (what I hope is) just enough room for easy play.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to buy new, longer screws for *all* the keys, just the accidentals since they needed to be mounted higher. For the naturals, I salvaged the original stainless steel M-6/1 screws from Keyboard 3, where they had lived happily since I built the thing (gulp) 16 years ago.

Jam Table – the Kick Drum

The kick drum had to come first. Since it is embedded in the table base and I’m going to have to figure out all the other instruments on the table top one by one, I wanted to get it out of the way.

My goal has been to build everything out of salvaged materials: An old 5-gallon paint bucket is a great candidate for a kick drum: It has a natural sound hole. It’s made of durable polypropylene (or something like it). It’s cheap and easily replaced.

And, most importantly, it *fits*, which no normal bass drum would. I suspended it from the base using paracord.

The pedal mechanism was another problem entirely. The kick action needed to be standard (stomp = WHOMP). But since the drum surface is parallel to the floor, and the stainless steel of the table base can’t be modified, I had to get hacky.

I worked out a way to use the table frame as the pivot, and then spent the better part of a week fabricating the pedals, lever, and beater out of scrap aluminum slabs, scrap iron levers, screws, and a f*ckload of mistakes and cursing.

Anyway, it ain’t pretty, it ain’t comfy, but it works. I’m hoping the end users will give feedback and offer suggestions on how to do this better.

(I probably need to add a Suggestion Box to the table.  Just a thought.)

New idea – the Jam Table

concept sketch of a table with built-in musical instruments, labeled "Jam Table." It includes a propane tank drum, xylophone keys, percussion array, slide bass guitar and kick drum.
(click to zoom)

I never thought about tables much – until a friend opened a door in my head:

She wondered whether artists might enjoy building table tops to go with the fancy stainless-steel table bases that her friend had salvaged from a dumpster.

And suddenly for me, it clicked: We gather at tables to eat, chat, and play. We make plans, peace, and war. We build things there,  We take them apart. Sometimes we sit alone, but more often we sit with others, creating moments in time with deep meaning. (see my earlier project – <a href=”https://www.xylovan.com/2026/03/table-9-potential-energies-wip/”>Table 9</a>, which I might get around to building some day.)

What would musicians create if they could sit down at such a thing?

Here’s the initial concept sketch – I’ll post more photos as I build.