You can make beautiful music without having to buy expensive equipment. For thousands of years, people have made various instruments from natural materials and household items using their own two hands. Continue reading to learn how to make simple drums, shakers, flutes, xylophones and rainsticks.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making Balloon Drums
Step 1. Find the drum frame
You can use an old pot, bowl, vase or a bucket. Choose a deep sturdy container as the drum frame. Avoid containers made of glass or other fragile materials.
Step 2. Buy a pack of balloons
It's likely that you'll blow up several pieces in the process of drumming, so it's a good idea to have more than one. Choose a strong balloon that is large. You'll likely want to get a few different sizes to make sure you can find one that fits the drum frame you choose.
Step 3. Cut off the end of the balloon
Take a pair of scissors and cut the end of the balloon right where the balloon is narrowing.
Step 4. Stretch the balloon over the drum frame
Use one hand to hold the balloon on one side of the base, while using the other hand to stretch it to the other side. The balloon should be able to cover the mouth of the pot, vase or bucket you are using as a frame.
- You may want to ask a friend to help you hold the balloon in place so it doesn't bounce back.
- If the balloons used seem too small or too large for the drum frame, try using balloons of a different size.
Step 5. Glue the balloons
Use adhesive or tape to hold the balloon in place, along the edge of the drum frame.
Step 6. Play the balloon drum with the sticks
Use chopsticks, a pencil or other long thin object to play your drums.
Method 2 of 5: Making Shakers
Step 1. Determine the container for the shaker
You can use an aluminum coffee can, a glass jar with a lid or a cardboard cylinder to make a shaker. Containers made of wood can also work well. Each type of container will each make a different unique sound.
Step 2. Choose something to shuffle
Any small object will make an interesting sound when you shake it. Collect this or any of the following, as many as a handful of hands:
- Beads, whether made of plastic, glass or wood
- Dried beans or rice
- Coin
- Grains
Step 3. Put the shaker ingredients into the container
Step 4. Close the container
Step 5. Wrap the container with plaster
Re-apply the tape on the container to make sure it is completely covered.
Step 6. Decorate your shaker
Use paint or other decorating materials to add vibrant color and pattern to the shaker.
Step 7. Shake the shaker
Use the shaker as a single percussion instrument or with a musical group.
Method 3 of 5: Making a Two-Tone Flute
Step 1. Prepare a glass jug with a lid or bottle
Wine bottles, olive oil bottles, large glass jugs and other thin-necked glass containers are suitable for use.
Step 2. Make a finger-sized hole at the bottom
Use a glass cutter to make a small hole in the bottom of the bottle or jug.
Step 3. Blow air through the hole already at the top of the jug
Position your lips so that you are blowing air horizontally, just above the hole. Keep blowing until you get a clear tone. This may take a while, so be patient and keep practicing.
Step 4. Close and open the hole at the bottom with your finger
Do this as you blow air and experiment with the different sounds it makes.
Step 5. Try moving your head up and down to make a sharp or even tone
Method 4 of 5: Making a Water Bottle Xylophone
Step 1. Get five water bottles measuring about 0.6 liters
Choose a round bottle with a flat bottom and a wide mouth. You can also do this using a jar. Number each from 1 to 5.
Step 2. Fill the bottles with different amounts of water
Add the following amounts to each water bottle:
- 1: 0.56 liter bottle which will produce an F note.
- Bottle 2: 0.38 liters which will produce a G tone.
- Bottle 3: 0.33 liters which will produce an A note.
- A 4: 0.24 liter bottle that will produce a C tone.
- A 5:0.18 liter bottle that will produce a D tone.
Step 3. Play with the bottles with a metal spoon
Tap the spoon against the side of the bottle to produce different tones.
Method 5 of 5: Making a Rainstick
Step 1. Thread the small nails into the large tissue roll tube
Place the nails sideways and randomly around the tube. For best effect, stick at least 15 or more nails into it.
Step 2. Attach the cover to the bottom of the tube with tape
Glue a piece of cardboard or another sturdy cover with tape, to cover the bottom of the tube.
Step 3. Fill in "rain"
Pour rice, sand, dry beans, beads, popcorn kernels and other small objects into it, which will produce a rain sound.
Step 4. Cover the top
Add a second cover on the top of the rainstick and fix it with tape.
Step 5. Cover the rainstick with wrapping paper
You can also decorate it with paint or stickers.
Step 6. Play rainstick
Flip from side to side to hear the sound of rain falling.
