Building a musical instrument can be a fun project, and you can make many different instruments using recycled household materials. In addition to being fun and inexpensive, these projects are also relatively simple.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Chinese Gong
Step 1. Make two holes in a disposable aluminum pan
Use a small knife to make two small holes in one of the edges of the pan.
- Ask an adult to help you with this step.
- Choose to make holes on one of the shorter sides which will become the top of the gong.
- The holes should be about 5-7cm apart.
- The tip of a pair of scissors can replace the pocket knife.
Step 2. Insert pipe cleaners into the holes
Put one in each hole. Tie the ends of the pipe cleaners firmly together.
- Create a loop at the end of each pipe cleaner. You will need two rings (one per hole).
- The rings should be 7-10cm in diameter.
Step 3. Hang the pipe cleaners on a cardboard tube
Slide the cardboard core of a roll of absorbent paper through the rings of the pipe cleaners, centering the rings on the tube.
- If you want, you could use a broomstick, ruler, or other large stick in place of the cardboard tube. Just make sure the stick is longer than the diameter of the pan.
- This tube or stick will support the gong.
Step 4. Prop up the gong
Take two office or dining room chairs and arrange one back against the other. Hang the gong by laying the tube on top of the backrests.
- For added safety, you could fix the hose using other pipe cleaners.
- Alternatively, you could use two large books or any other sturdy object instead of chairs. This “pedestal”, however, must be able to remain in place without additional support.
Step 5. Wrap the end of a stick with adhesive tape
Wrap it around one end, overlapping the ribbon until it forms a thick mass.
- Instead of a stick, you could also use a wooden spoon or a 30 cm wooden pin.
- The covered part of the stick will be the club head. The head should be about 5-10 cm in diameter.
Step 6. Sound the gong
To play, simply hit the flat bottom of the pan with the club head.
Method 2 of 5: Maracas
Step 1. Fill a plastic bottle
Half-fill a 250ml plastic bottle with a noisy material. Close the cap tightly.
- There are several options for the material with which to fill the bottle. Stones, beans, rice, bird food, beads, raw pasta, washers and staples will make louder noises. Sand, salt and grommets will make lighter noises.
- You can also mix different materials or use something that isn't mentioned in this guide. The filling just needs to be small enough to move inside the maracas.
Step 2. Cut a cardboard tube lengthwise
Cut a tube of toilet paper lengthwise. The cut should be as straight as possible.
- Make only one cut lengthwise. Do not cut the tube completely in half.
- If you are using a paper towel tube and not toilet paper, cut it completely in half before making the longitudinal cut. Use only one of these halves for the handle of the maracas.
Step 3. Tighten the tube around the bottle cap
Roll the cardboard on itself lengthwise. Place one end on the bottle cap.
The opening should have a diameter of about 2 cm or in any case it should be large enough to fit comfortably around the cap
Step 4. Attach the tube with tape
Start wrapping duct tape around the bottom of the bottle, near the cap. Wrap, overlapping the layers, until they connect to the cardboard handle.
- Wrap slowly and leave no space between the layers of masking tape.
- To make the maracas more decorative, use colored or patterned ribbon.
Step 5. Cover the rest of the tube with more tape
Continue wrapping the tape around the cardboard tube in the same way, until it reaches the bottom.
Use a piece of tape to cover the open bottom of the tube
Step 6. Make a second maraca in the same way
The second is done in the same way, so you will have to repeat the previous steps with another 250 ml bottle.
Consider using a different material with which to fill the second maraca. Many real maracas produce sounds of different tones that you can produce using different materials. For example, putting beans in one and rice in the other, the one with rice will have a higher hue
Step 7. Play the maracas
Take a maraca in each hand, holding the handle. Shake them to hear them play. Experiment with rhythms and sounds by shaking them at different intervals.
Method 3 of 5: Tambourine
Step 1. Find a Y-shaped branch
It should have a clearly forked end and the lower part that can be used as a handle.
- Make sure the stick is very solid. Use a hardwood branch if possible.
-
To make the tool more colorful, you can decorate it with paint, feathers, beads or other embellishments. However, make sure none of these decorations hang from the forked end of the stick.
Make Musical Instruments with Recycled Materials Step 14Bullet2
Step 2. Heat a dozen metal bottle caps
Remove the rubber seals inside each cap, then heat the caps on a rack for about 5 minutes.
- Ask an adult to help you with this step.
- Do not touch the metal caps when they are hot. Use the pliers.
- This step is technically optional, but following it will improve the final sound of the instrument.
Step 3. Flatten the caps
Once they have cooled, use a hammer to flatten the caps as much as possible.
- Mainly, you will have to focus on flattening the knurled edges of the caps.
- Work carefully to avoid hitting your fingers. You may also need to perform this step under adult supervision.
Step 4. Pierce each cap in the center
Place a nail in the center of each flattened cap. Use a hammer to gently insert the tip of the nail into the metal, making a hole.
- Remove the nail once each hole is made.
- Work with an adult to reduce the risk of injury.
Step 5. Join the caps on a cable
Insert a solid piece of wire into each hole until all the caps are aligned.
The wire should be a little longer than the distance between the ends of the forked part of the stick
Step 6. Wrap the cord around the arms of the cane
Wrap one end of the wire around one of the bifurcations. Wrap the other end of the thread around the other arm.
The wire should be wrapped around the end of the bifurcation, or around the widest part (in case it is not the end)
Step 7. Play the tambourine
Grab the handle and shake it. The caps should collide, producing a musical sound.
Method 4 of 5: Tubular Bells
Step 1. Find various cans
Get 4-6 empty cans of different shapes and sizes. Make sure the cans are clean and safe for use.
- The most suitable cans include those used for peeled tomatoes, tuna, coffee and pet food.
-
If the top looks jagged, apply a few layers of thick masking tape to prevent cuts.
Make Musical Instruments with Recycled Materials Step 21Bullet2
Step 2. Pierce the bottom of each can
Lay a can upside down and insert a sturdy nail in the center. Use a hammer to puncture the bottom of the can with the nail.
- You should rely on adult supervision during this step.
- Repeat this process for each can.
Step 3. Insert the twine through each hole
Thread a long thread of wool through the hole in one of the cans. Repeat for each can, using a different yarn each time.
- You can use wool, but pieces of string or other sturdy threads will work fine too.
- There should be about 20 cm of wire sticking out from the top of the tallest can. The lengths of the other strands may vary, but the cans will need to be able to collide with each other once hung.
Step 4. Secure the wires with washers
Knot a metal washer at the end of the wire inside each can.
You could use another object, such as a stone, in case the washers are not available. The object should be heavy, so that it can create additional noise by hitting the side of the can
Step 5. Hang the cans on a hanger
Tie the other end of each thread to a sturdy hanger.
The cans should overlap once hung
Step 6. Ring the tubular bells
Place the bells in a windy place and let the breeze ring them for you, or hit them with a stick to ring them yourself.
Method 5 of 5: Harmonica in Mouth
Step 1. Overlap 2 popsicle sticks
Put them on top of each other.
- If you want to use used sticks, make sure they are clean and dry before using them for this project.
- Large sticks work best, but all sizes are fine.
Step 2. Wrap a strip of paper around each end
Wrap a small strip of paper tightly around one end of the sticks and secure it with adhesive tape. Repeat on the other end.
- Each strip should be about 2cm wide and about 7.5cm long.
- You will have to wrap the paper on itself many times.
- Attaching the paper to the sticks, apply the tape only to the paper. Don't put it on sticks.
Step 3. Pull out one of the sticks
Gently remove one of the sticks, working carefully to avoid damaging or modifying the paper rings.
- Set this stick aside for now.
- The other stick should still be inserted into the paper rings.
Step 4. Attach a large rubber band lengthwise
Place a large rubber band on the stick and paper loops lengthwise.
The elastic should go from one end to the other. It should be tight, but not so tight that it breaks or clicks
Step 5. Join the sticks again
Reposition the second stick on the first, leaving the elastic in the middle.
The two sticks should line up perfectly on each side
Step 6. Secure the ends of the sticks with other rubber bands
Use a small thin elastic to hold the sticks together at one end. Use a second similar elastic to hold the sticks at the other end.
These rubber bands should be on the outside of the paper rings
Step 7. Play the harmonica
The harmonica is complete at this point. To play it, blow through the sticks, concentrating the blow so that it is directed completely through the instrument and not around it.
