Have you always wanted to have a drum to play, but the instruments were too expensive to buy? Or maybe you just want to expand your small collection of percussion instruments on a shoestring budget? Whatever the reason, homemade drums are fun and easy to build from a variety of materials.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: With the Carton
Step 1. Get the necessary materials
For this method you need an empty cylindrical container, electrical tape or tape, cardboard, crayons or colored pencils (optional), two pencils (optional), and tissue paper (also optional).
For the container, a coffee jar, a peeled tomato or an aluminum can is fine. It will be the base of the drum, so it is important that it is clean and in good condition
Step 2. Cross strips of masking tape across the top of the container until it is completely covered
This will be the top of the drum, so it must be sturdy and stable.
Try to put at least a layer or two of tape on top of the jar, and cross it tightly to make the drum stronger
Step 3. Measure the cardboard by wrapping it around the jar
Then, cut it so that it fits snugly around the container. Tape it in place and cut off the excess.
Step 4. Decorate the drum as desired
Or let your child embellish it and paint it with markers, crayons or paints.
You can also cut out shapes from other cards and pin them to the side of the drum
Step 5. Make a pair of chopsticks
Crumple a sheet of tissue paper onto the end of a pencil. Wrap some masking or electrical tape all around the tissue paper ball and pin it carefully onto the pencil.
Do the same thing with the other pencil
Step 6. Test the drum
Now is the time to have some fun or let your child play with it to verify that the musical instrument can withstand a drum session!
Method 2 of 3: With a Balloon
Step 1. Get the necessary materials
For this method, you need a clean cylindrical container such as a jar of coffee or tomatoes, balloons, duct tape or adhesive, and rubber bands (optional).
Step 2. Slide the balloon all the way around the surface of the jar
With your fingers, open the balloon wide to spread it out so that it fits over the top of the can.
Step 3. Spread another balloon over a hard surface
Don't inflate it, you have to use a floppy one. Make small holes in the balloon with scissors. They don't have to be uniform or perfect, their purpose is more decorative than anything else.
Step 4. Slip the cut balloon on top of the jar, on top of the one you stuffed earlier
This double layer will make the drum more resistant and the holes on the upper “skin” will be a fun decoration.
Step 5. Wrap the masking tape around the jar to secure the balloons
Eventually you can use rubber bands by putting them on the edge to block the balloons.
Step 6. Test the drum
Or leave it to your child to play with and try it out for you.
- If you want to add more weight to the drum, you can fill the container with a handful of rice or dried lentils, before tucking the balloons on top.
- Make sticks out of pencils and tissue paper (as explained in the previous method), or just use your hands to pat while singing your favorite song.
Method 3 of 3: With eco-leather
Step 1. Get the necessary materials
For this method you need a round tin container or jar, a roll of faux leather, a roll of string or thin twine, a marker and scissors.
Step 2. Place the can on the back side of the fabric
With a marker pen, mark the edge around the jar. Then move the can to another point of the eco-leather and draw another circle.
These circles make up the top and bottom of the drum
Step 3. Cut the circles leaving 5 cm of space between the drawn line and the cut
This will give you enough hem to sew the leather with twine.
Step 4. Make small cuts around the edges of both eco-leather discs with scissors
These will be used to pass the thread around the drum.
Step 5. Thread the twine through the holes
Once you have woven it into the cuts of the upper and lower skin, tie a small knot and cut off the excess.
Step 6. Place the leather pieces on each base of the jar
Then slide another piece of string from the holes in the upper one to the holes in the lower one, pulling as you go.
Step 7. Test the drum
This instrument must not only look good, but also produce a good sound.
