You can make good music without buying expensive instruments. For thousands of years, people have been building tools with their own hands using natural materials or common objects. Read on to learn how to make a drum, maracas, flute, xylophone, and rain stick.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Building a Drum with a Balloon
Step 1. Find a base for the drum
You can use an old pot, bowl, vase, or bucket. Choose a deep, solid container as a base. Avoid containers made of glass or other fragile materials.
Step 2. Get a pack of balloons
You'll likely pop a couple of balloons while making the drum, so it's best to have more than one. Choose large, sturdy balloons. You can decide to buy balloons in various sizes to make sure you find one that fits the size of the drum base.
Step 3. Cut the end of the balloon
Take a pair of scissors and cut the end of the balloon right where it becomes narrow.
Step 4. Spread the balloon around the base
Use one hand to hold the balloon still along one edge of the base and the other to spread it on the other side. The balloon goes beyond the opening of the pot, vase or bucket you are using as a base.
- You could ask for the help of a friend to hold the balloon still so that it does not bounce back.
- If the balloon you are using seems too big or too small, try a different size balloon.
Step 5. Secure it in place with tape
Use packing tape or duct tape to secure the balloon around the edge of the drum base.
Step 6. Play the drum with drumsticks
Use sticks, pencils, or any other long, thin object to play your drum.
Method 2 of 6: Building Maracas
Step 1. Choose a container
To make maracas, you can use an aluminum coffee jar, a glass jug with a lid, or cardboard cylinders. Wooden containers are fine too. Depending on the type of container it will produce a different, particular sound.
Step 2. Select something to shake
Any amount of small objects will make interesting sounds when shaken. Gather a handful of some or all of the things listed below:
- Plastic, glass or wooden beads.
- Dried beans or rice.
- Coins.
- Seeds.
Step 3. Put the items to be shaken into the container
Step 4. Close the container with a lid
Step 5. Wrap the container with masking tape
Overlap a little scotch tape on each turn to make sure the container is completely covered.
Step 6. Decorate your maracas
Use paint or any other decorative material to add bright colors and designs to the maracas.
Step 7. Shake them
Use maracas as a percussion instrument alone or with a band.
Method 3 of 6: Constructing a Two Note Flute
Step 1. Get a glass jug or bottle
This is best done using a bottle of wine, olive oil, large glass jugs, or any other glass container with a thin neck.
Step 2. Make a finger-diameter hole in the base
Use a glass cutter to cut a small hole in the bottom of the bottle or jug.
Step 3. Blow through the hole that is already at the top of the pitcher
Position your lips so as to blow perfectly horizontally on the opening. Keep blowing until you get a distinct note. This may take time, so be patient and keep practicing.
Step 4. Cover and uncover the hole in the bottom with your finger
Do this while you are blowing so that you experience the different sounds the flute makes.
Step 5. Try tilting your head up and down to get sharp or flat notes
Method 4 of 6: Building a Xylophone with Water Bottles
Step 1. Get 5 bottles of 600 ml water
Choose round bottles with a flat base and wide mouth. Numeral from 1 to 5.
Step 2. Fill the bottles with different amounts of water
Add the following quantities of water to the bottles:
- Bottle n ° 1: 560 ml. This will produce the note FA
- Bottle n ° 2: 385 ml. This will produce the note G
- Bottle n ° 3: 325 ml. This will produce the note A
- Bottle n ° 4: 235 ml. This will produce the note DO
- Bottle n ° 5: 175 ml. This will produce the note RE
Step 3. Play the bottles with a metal spoon
Tap the sides of the bottles with a spoon to produce the notes.
Method 5 of 6: Construct a Rain Staff
Step 1. Fix small nails inside the toilet paper tube
Use a hammer to arrange them on the side of the pipe in random areas. Use at least fifteen nails to get the best effect.
Step 2. Glue a cap to the bottom of the tube
Glue a piece of construction paper or any other solid cover to the base of the tube.
Step 3. Add the "rain"
Pour in rice, sand, dried beans, beads, popcorn seeds, and other small things that will make the sound of rain.
Step 4. Cover the top
Add a second cap to the other end of the rain stick and secure it with electrical tape.
Step 5. Line the rain stick with wrapping paper
You can also decorate it with drawings or stickers.
Step 6. Play the rain stick
Turn it over from side to side to hear the sound of the pouring rain.
Method 6 of 6: Making an Oboe with a Straw
Step 1. Get a straw
You can find one in almost any restaurant or you may have them at home too.
Thin cocktail ones or those that fold are not good
Step 2. Use your teeth to flatten one end to create the reed to blow into
Experiment until you can create the sound.
- If blowing in is easy enough, but no sound comes out (just like a regular straw), try flattening it further. Or maybe you can use the lip position to keep the sides down even more.
- If blowing is difficult, it may be too flat. Blow into the other end to open the reed a little.
Step 3. Cut out the holes along the straw using scissors and a compass
- Plan where to distribute the holes and their size. Keep in mind that you are going to cover them with your fingers.
- Make two holes using the pointed end of a compass or something similar. The holes should be placed at the top and bottom of the desired position.
- When you press the tip of the compass, be sure not to puncture the other part of the straw as well, otherwise the air will escape.
- Push the tip of the scissors blade through the holes made with the compass. If the holes are too small for the scissors, try widening them again by turning the tip of the compass.
- Make a cut with scissors to connect the holes.
- Now that the hole is large enough, insert the scissors blade and carefully cut out a circle.
Step 4. Repeat for all other holes
- Don't make too many; six is the recommended number.
- If the holes are too high, they could interfere with the vibration of the reed.
