Found Musical Instruments

 You can find many different things to use for musical instruments all over your house.

If it makes some kind of pleasant sound, it can be an instrument.

All you need to do is ring it, shake it, scrape it, clap it, tap it, or blow it!

Things to ring ~

* a set of keys

* a set of metal measuring spoons

* a small set of wind chimes

Things to shake ~

* a container of toothpicks

* a container of nails or tacks

* an envelope of flower seeds

Things to scrape ~

* a pancake flipper

* a metal grater

* a metal sifter

* two pieces of sandpaper

Things to tap ~

* a can with a plastic lid

* an empty plastic jug

* a wooden bowl turned upside down

* metal pot or bowl

* metal thimbles on each finger

* a clay plant pot

Things to clap ~

* two metal or wooden spoons

* two walnut shells

* two metal pot lids

Blow over the tops of bottles to make more interesting sounds.

Fill the bottles with different amounts of water to find out if the sounds you make change.

Musical Instruments You Can Make

Some things you might usually throw away can be recycled

to make fun instruments that really work.

Gather some paper, markers, scissors, and tape

and make a few of these musical instruments to play along with Eco-Music.

You might even want to start your own Neighborhood Green Band!

Invite your friends to join you for a musical parade around your neighborhood

and spread the word about caring for our planet with your favorite Eco Songs.

 Tambourine

Glue or staple two foil pie pans or paper plates together with the front sides are facing.

Try to reuse paper plates that have only been used for sandwiches or dry foods.

Paper plates can be decorated first with crayons or markers.

Make holes about 2” apart around the rims of the plates or pans with a hole punch.

Use string to tie a bell from each hole.

You can also place a handful of dried beans or rice between the plates before attaching them together.

Shake to play.

Kazoo

 Cut a cardboard paper towel tube in half.

Cut a piece of paper to fit around the tube.

Decorate the paper with crayons or markers and attach it to the tube with tape.

Place a square of waxed paper over one end of the tube and attach it with a rubber band.

Use the end of a pen or pencil to place a row of holes along one side of the tube.

Hum into the open end and move your fingers on the holes.

Recorder

 Cut a piece of paper of fit around a paper towel tube.

Decorate the paper with crayons or markers and attach it to the tube with tape.

Use the end of a pen or pencil to place a row of holes along one side of the tube.

Squeeze one end of the tube together and staple it in the center, leaving two open portions on either side of the staple.

Hum or sing into the open end.

Drum

 Cut a piece of paper to fit around a can with a plastic lid.

Large coffee cans work well, but any size can may be used.

Decorate the paper with crayons and markers.

Attach the paper around the can with tape.

Use your hand to tap on the drum or make a set of drumsticks.

Make drumsticks with two unsharpened pencils with erasers.

You can also attach an empty thread spool on one end of the pencils or wrap a thick rubber band around one end of each pencil.

Bongos

 Cut two pieces of paper to fit around two cardboard oatmeal containers with lids.

Decorate the paper with crayons and markers.

Attach the paper around both containers with tape.

Set the containers side by side and tie them together with two long pieces of string or yarn. Tie one piece of string around the upper section of the containers and the other around the lower section.

Place a dab of glue under the string in several spots to hold it in place.

Play your bongos by tapping on the tops with your fingertips.

Maracas

 Use crayons, markers, or stickers to decorate the front and back of two paper lunch bags.

Place a handful of rice, seeds, or dried beans in each bag.

Tie the bags closed with ribbon, string, or yarn.

What you place in the bags determines what the sound will be when the maracas are shaken. Try some of your own ideas like paper clips, bottle caps, pennies, or pebbles.

Guitar

 Cover the bottom of a shoebox with used gift wrap paper.

Save the shoebox lid for another project.

Stretch 5-7 rubber bands around the shoebox. Place the rubber bands 2”-3” apart.

Use rubber bands of different sizes and widths.

Strum your guitar with your fingers or use the plastic tags that fasten bread bags closed as your guitar picks.

Rain Stick

 Recycle a long cardboard gift tube or use 3 cardboard paper towel tubes taped together to form one long tube.

Notice the spiral seam from top to bottom on the tube.

Push 1” tacks or nails into the tube along the spiral seam. Place them about an inch apart.

Wrap pieces of masking tape around the tube over the nails to hold them in place.

Cut 2 paper circles slightly larger than the openings on the ends of the tube.

Place a circle over one end and attach it with tape.

Put 3 handfuls of rice, dried beans, or sunflower seeds or a handful of each into the tube.

Seal the other end by attaching the second paper circle with tape.

Cut several 12”x2” pieces of paper wide enough to fit around the tube.

Decorate each piece and attach them to the tube with tape. Use as many pieces as you need to cover the whole tube.

You may choose to draw symbols of the Earth or the weather.

Tie strings of beads and bells around the ends of the tube.

Add some feathers if you choose.

A rain stick is an instrument from South America.

It is often made with a section of cactus.

The spines or thorns of the cactus are pushed to the inside of the plant.

The cactus is then left to dry in the sun.

When the cactus is completely dry the inside is hollow with only a maze of thorns going every which way.

Small pebbles are placed inside the cactus and the ends are sealed closed.

When the rain stick is tilted and moved back and forth or upside down the pebbles fall, hitting the thorns.

The sound is like falling rain.

Rain Sticks are often used in weather ceremonies in hopes of rain.