MUSICAL RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS

GRADES: K-7

This project produces a musical instrument, as well as an art work. Many cultures make instruments from hollowed out gourds, and hollowed out wood. Living in New York City, its a little hard to make instruments from natural materials. We have made various drums and rattles using a variety of containers. Different containers filled with different materials make different sounds. It is good to have a few of the same containers filled with the same thing so that you can have a specific rhythm section.

MATERIALS:

• plastic, metal, cardboard iced tea containers or coffee cans with lids (actually anything that has a containers lid is fine) For coffee cans, remove the bottom metal piece and replace with plastic lid.
• glue gun (to glue the lids on when finished, and glue on trimmings)
• large and small beans, rice, sand or gravel to put in the cans, and anything else that sounds that if it would make a nice sound.
• construction paper
• markers
• crayons
• scissors
• pencils
• glue sticks
• assorted trimmings, string, beads, fringe, small shells etc.
• cut dowel sticks

METHOD:

1. Have the student bring in a container.
2. Students will place some of the gravel, sand, beans etc., or a combination into his container.
3. The containers are then sealed so that nothing falls out while being played.
4. Cut a piece of construction paper to the size of the container. Have the students draw their designs on it before gluing it down, it's easier this way.
5. Glue the paper to the container using either the glue stick or glue gun.
6. Decorate the instruments with various trimmings, fringe on top, shells, beads etc.
7. When everything is dry, put on a record and have the students play their instruments. Teacher is the band leader.

Lesson plan courtesy of Barabara Sonek
Homepage: Barbara's World Tour