what is a rain stick?

Answer 1

all wonderful answers above me!
here's a simply way to create your own rain stick:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/rain_stick/index.html
http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/smart-ideas/rain-sticks
http://www.dariamusic.com/inst.html

Answer 2

A "rain stick" is actually a musical instrument composed of a bamboo stem filled with sand or very small pebbles and covered on both ends with cloth. By turning the stick upside-down, the sound generated is similar to a spring rain shower. This instrument was created by native rain forest peoples, but was popularized by Neal Diamond in the late 1980s to early 1990s. They do make a quite pleasing sound and can be purchased in trendy upscale shops (I'm not sure which ones, Nature Company, et al... you can check the net, or you can make one yourself). Usually, at least portion of the price is used to improve living conditions and help save rain forest habitats. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

It is a percussion instrument that is a hollowed out tube with beads or other type of small noise maker in it. When the rain stick is overturned, there are also partial barriers in the tube that cause the noise makers inside to slowly trickle down and make a long raining type sound. Depending on the type of noise maker used, a different sound and duration of rain can be heard.

Answer 4

A "Rain Stick" originated from the Indians... We used to sell them at the store I worked at the Laughlin Mall.. The Gifts & Souvenier's store.. They are made from a cactus, called: Oh I forgot the name of the cactus, but it is long, sometimes short, but hallow... I have two really big ones, in my apt., that I'm going to make Rain-Sticks out of some day. Being that I live in the desert, there everywhere if you just look in the right places.. However, what people and the Indian's do, is they put, seeds or sunflower seeds in them, or you could put rice, in them.. And glaze them over.. Seal off the ends with a perfectly fit, piece of wood.. And once the shalac seals, and is dry, ....you can shake them back & forth, and they make the sound of Rain.......There very serene sounding.. And therepeutic, for some people.. I guess to the Indians, as well. I just love them!! I cant wait to find someone who can make me, the wooden ends, so I can make mine.. I might just take them to a hardware store, and ask them to cut me some wood thats the same color, and circulate the cut, to fit, exactly. Then go ahead and fill them with rice, and or beans, and just go ahead and finish them up! At long last. For now, there in my nature corner of my apartment. Just looking "Ever-So-Beautiful"!!! Go and check out any Souvenier Stores in Las Vegas, or Laughlin,and I'll bet you can find one. There a bit expensive, but there so Awesome!! There worth the price you pay for them. Good-Luck, I hope you will finally get to hold one and shake it gently, back and forth, once you do, get it.. Have fun... Smile!!!

Answer 5

I don't know if this is what you're thinking of, but I've seen large, hollow wooden sticks with some sort of beads or sand in them, and when you turn them upside down, all the stuff inside sounds like rain falling.

Answer 6

http://kidsactivities.about.com/od/MusicArt/ss/How-to-Make-a-Rain-Stick-with-Kids.htm?utm_term=rain%20stick%20craft&utm_content=p1-main-1-title&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=msn&utm_campaign=adid-fea43ee9-959e-4a2d-a0b9-8f999b3208b6-0-ab_msb_ocode-4515&ad=semD&an=msn_s&am=broad&q=rain%20stick%20craft&dqi=&o=4515&l=sem&qsrc=999&askid=fea43ee9-959e-4a2d-a0b9-8f999b3208b6-0-ab_msb#step10