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Homemade musical instruments are fun and inexpensive crafts to make. Gongs, xylophones, hummers, and triangles are fun for children to play.
Music is fun for all ages. Children love to make and play homemade musical instruments. Even very young children can play simple instruments that help them learn to feel the beat of music. Items that are found in most homes can be used to make simple instruments. Sounds made by gongs, xylophones, hummers, and triangles can give children fun for hours.
1. Gong - The items needed are an old pie tin or lid of a large metal popcorn tin, a metal table knife or spoon for a mallet, a hammer and nail, and string. Pound two nail holes on the edge of the pie tin or on the side of the popcorn lid two or three inches apart. Thread the string through the holes and tie a knot. The string should be about 1 ½ to 2 feet, long enough for you to hold it without touching the pan or tin. Hit the pan with the spoon or knife and you have a loud sound. To soften the sound, wrap the knife or spoon with a piece of cloth. A child’s sock can also be used to cover the knife or spoon.
2. Xylophone - Glass pop bottles that are the same size and shape work best for a homemade xylophone. Water glasses will also work. The procedure for making a homemade xylophone is very easy. Fill the glasses with different amounts of water. One bottle should be almost filled to the top and one bottle filled with very little water. The other bottles should vary somewhere in between the two. You can use as many or as few bottles or glasses as you would like. A knife or spoon works well as a mallet. Hit the side of the bottle or glass very gently. Each one will make a different tone. You can experiment with different water levels to decide which note pitches you like. If you have a piano or other musical instrument that will make various pitches, you can tune your bottles or glasses to the instrument.
3. Hummer - You will need an empty cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tube, a rubber band and wax paper. Cut a round piece of wax paper that is larger than the ends of the tube. Cover one end with the wax paper and hold in place with the rubber band. Make sounds into the opposite end of the tube.
Taking a comb and wrapping it in a Kleenex easily make another hummer. Hold the edges of the covered comb. Place the comb between your lips and hum. It will tickle your lips and makes a great homemade instrument.
4. Triangle - A horseshoe or 4 to 8 inches of metal pipe, string, and a knife or spoon, are the only items needed to make a triangle. Loop the string at the curve of the horseshoe or thread it through the pipe. Tie a knot at the top. Hit the horseshoe or pipe with the knife or fork as it dangles from the string. Make sure the string is strong enough to hold the horseshoe or pipe.
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