Custom instruments, instrument inventions and more recently the design and manufacture of harmonicas are the main focus of Acoustic Tendencies, with acoustics being the center of applied interest.

Harmonicas
The aim of the production of a range of diatonic and chromatic harmonicas is to extend the sound qualities of this small instrument, especially in tone color, strength and reverberation. The aim is to enrich the character of the instrument which is inherent in larger musical instruments.

The harmonica is experiencing a little rebirth nowadays, mainly due to variations in its tuning and the expansion of the structure and range of the individual reeds. The diatonic harmonica, for example, is able to play chromatically, harmonicas in general are able to play in non-interval tones. This shift in development is very important for harmonica playing because it expands the musical versatility of the instrument. Acoustic qualities that are valued in orchestral instruments such as color and space, however, play a secondary role here.

The range of harmonicas produced under the Acoustic Tendencies label gradually offers new acoustic qualities from the basic versions which still maintain the standard size and shape to the newer alternate versions which have dramatic acoustic differences.
Wood has been chosen as the material for processing because of its irreplaceable acoustic quality and its quality of resonance transmission through the material. Wooden instruments are generally more expensive to manufacture and maintain, this fact is the natural price for the better technological and acoustic advantages that this material allows, which is why this material is also used in most professional instruments. The aim is therefore not to produce standard instruments in bulk, but rather to search for new potential by going beyond the established form using adequate materials, regardless of the difficulty of producing such instruments. Musicians, thanks to this approach, get their hands on instruments that are not possible to produce in a standard production but are definitely worth exploring.

Author
And it’s no surprise that the man behind Acoustic Tendencies is Jan Mucska alias 2046, who studied and worked as a designer at the Škoda car company, later studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in the field of new media, and then went to study on San Franciso Art Institute for a while. 2046 has taught or lectured 3D, programming or sound art at various schools, such as the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Charles University of Education and Prague College.
Over the last 20 years, 2046 has increasingly transformed himself, taking a break from his artistic practice and shifting his focus to reinventing tools and interfaces. His work is full of variations related to acoustic pianos and custom constructions for various artists. His current focus on harmonica is the result of a search for personal expression and its qualities. Personal expression is reflected in breath and vibration as a source of emotional stimuli.

All of 2046’s recent work is a search for unique solutions for musical instruments, focusing on their functionality and acoustic expression with respect to human perception on a biophysical level.
The use of natural materials is no exception in his work. As part of the bikejan.com project, which he co-founded, he created a rather warmly received design for a wooden bicycle frame called Avocado.

More information about the author can be found on about page.