Brian Day playing unique tape measure instrument, surrounded by musical equipment and curious audience.

Brian Day’s Ingenious Tape Measure Instrument Offers New Musical Dimensions

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Written by John Oliver

2026-08-02

Unveiling the Tape Measure Musical Innovation

Sound artist Brian Day has crafted a remarkable vibrato instrument using everyday materials. This inventive apparatus features folded yellow tape measures of varying heights, attached by sturdy brackets to a wooden base equipped with a piano hinge. The choice of materials is as daring as it is creative, transforming mundane tape measures into a source of captivating sound.

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Enhancements for Sound and Flexibility

Brian Day recently enhanced his creation by updating the brackets holding the tape measures. The new design allows for significantly more flexibility in the movement of the tapes, allowing them to bend and create a greater range of sounds. This change reveals a previously hidden musical potential, offering richer tones and dynamic expressions. Day decided to retain the piano hinge, with its characteristic squeak, embracing it as part of the unique auditory experience.

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Exploring Other Tape Measure Instruments

Beyond this vibrato device, Day’s fascination with tape measures manifests in a variety of other musical instruments, each utilizing the measuring tapes in unconventional ways to produce sound. These projects showcase his ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of what everyday objects can achieve when reimagined through the lens of artistic innovation.

Source: laughingsquid.com

Frequently asked questions

What materials does Brian Day’s instrument use?

Brian Day’s vibrato instrument uses everyday materials, specifically folded yellow tape measures of varying heights, attached to a wooden base with a piano hinge.

How did Brian Day enhance his tape measure instrument?

He updated the brackets holding the tape measures to allow more flexibility, aiding in a greater range of sounds, while retaining the piano hinge for its unique squeak.

What is Brian Day’s interest in tape measures?

Beyond the vibrato device, Day creates various musical instruments using tape measures to produce sound, showcasing his commitment to reimagining everyday objects through artistic innovation.