Ideas for musical instrument made out of recycled material?

Question

For my sons grade 4 project. It has to be able to "play" different tones and should -idealy- be a newly created not copied instrument. He gets bonus points if he can play a simple song on it......yikes.

Answer 1

A can makes a great percussion instrument. Get one with textured sides-I believe veggie cans have ridges and that's just perfect. Make sure you open the can with a can opener that opens from the side so there won't be sharp edges. To make music- rub something against the side quickly-try chopsticks, both plastic and wood, which can be rubbed and tapped for varying sounds and holding the can in various places will also cause the sound you get from it to change. You can hold it from the bottom and insert the stick and rattle around inside. Drum solos rock but percussion solos rule!!!

Answer 2

Recycled Instrument Ideas

Answer 3

Hey Ingred,

Drums. Find some circular cylindrical barrel type trash. Cut some leather of a trash couch. Wet the leather and stretch it over the barrel. You have a drum.

Containers, of the same type material metal or glass. Fill with water using a tuning fork. Get each note of 8 notes. If you want to get really good, tune more so you have sharps and flats and at least to scales. You might need bigger containers.

You know how to make a sound in a beer bottle by blowing down the hole right? do the same thing, but water in them. Tune appropriately.

A garbage comb, covered with paper makes an interesting Kazoo type instrument. Just humm at the paper.

Answer 4

How about a variation of an mbira (thumb piano). We have one made from an old sardine can & flattened nails. The attachments of the nails would allow him to set up different pitches & play a song.

Answer 5

Wow quite the endavour you got there :)
You might get inspired by looking up the group called Stomp (http://www.stomponline.com/ , check videos and audio, etc.). Lots of percutions and such. Good luck!

Answer 6

i observed this hobo as quickly as on the line. he used a styrofoam container and a thick nylon monofil string. used it as a violin. the bow could be various strands of thinner nylon strings rubbed with resin.