Making musical instruments with children

Making instruments: How does it work?

Resonator:

Your instrument needs something in which the sound can develop. Empty cans, cardboard tubes, old metal watering cans or cups and buckets provide wonderful resonators for homemade instruments.

Get creative:

An old thread becomes a guitar string, small pebbles work wonderfully in a rattle. Set off on an exploration with your child; you'll be surprised what objects can be turned into instruments.

Provide help:

If your child made the instrument themselves, it's even more fun to play with it. However, you should provide help with most instruments when it comes to drilling holes or making precise cuts in the instrument with a cutter.

Fun:

It doesn't really matter how the sound from your instrument turns out. Homemade instruments rarely sound like "real" violins, drums, or guitars. That's why they're often described as "noise-makers". The main thing, however, is that you and your child have fun crafting and then playing.

Which instruments can I make with my child?

Drum mallet

You will need:

Round wooden dowel
Newspaper
Fabric scraps or old socks
String
Drill
Pinking shears (zigzag scissors)

Here's how:

Drill a small hole about 6-8 cm from the top end of the dowel.
Above the hole, crumple the newspaper around the dowel.
Then cut the fabric or sock remnant and wrap it below the newspaper with the twine. Thread the string through the hole in the dowel several times so it doesn't slip when drumming.
Then trim the fabric scraps with pinking shears so the fabric won't fray as easily.
Finally, the dowels can be decorated with colorful paint.

Hand drum

You'll need:

Empty tin can
Colored tape
White poster paint
Balloon
Colored paper or paint for decorating

How it works:

Make sure the tin can has no sharp edge after opening to avoid injuries. If necessary, lightly sand the edge with fine sandpaper.
Wash and dry the can and prime it with white poster paint.
Inflate the balloon slightly, cut off the neck of the balloon, stretch the remaining part with both hands and pull it over the opening of the metal can.
Secure the balloon with tape so it doesn't slip.
Now all that's missing is the decoration and your child can play the hand drum. Hold the can in one hand and play near the outer edge with the fingers of the other hand.

Rainmaker

You will need:

Empty stackable chip container with lid
Chicken wire
Small pebbles or uncooked peas/lentils/rice
Parchment paper
Rubber bands
Pliers
Cardstock, paint, pens, feathers, etc. for decorating

How to make it:

Glue cardstock to the outside of the can. If you want to draw a pattern on the paper, it's easier to do before gluing.
Using the pliers, shape the chicken wire to fit the chip container, roll it up and put it into the can.
Depending on which filling you chose, put stones, lentils or rice into the can. Make sure you don't fill too much or too little. If you're not sure, you can close the can in between and test the sound.
When you've found the right amount, close the can with the lid. Then cover the lid and bottom with cut pieces of parchment paper. These are held firmly to the can by the rubber bands.
Finally, decorate the can as you like. Feathers, ribbons or cut-out cardstock shapes, there are no limits to creativity.
The rainmaker sounds especially nice when your child slowly moves it back and forth and listens to the "raindrops".

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