I've had a lot of interest in my home-made Boomwhacker and boom pipe instruments, so I think readers might be happy to have these basic guidelines for making Boomwhacker-type instruments out of almost any cylindrical material. Some of my home-made pitched cylinders created with double-walled drain pipe, shipping tubes, PVC pipe, fluorescent light protectors, hollow table legs, & electrical conduit Illustration depicting Pythagoras demon- strating harmonics from Franchino Gafori, Theorica Musice (Milan, 1492) Pythagoras (Greek mathematician, musician and philosopher, circa 570 - 495 BCE) figured out the theory of music harmonics about 2500 years ago (amazing!), and his formula remains our basic guide when constructing instruments from common or junk materials. Although we have access to technical information about tempered and just tuning, (and I note differences below), Pythagoras' formula is adequate for homemade instruments, and it's easier to teach/explain to students. I always cut my material slightly long and then trim it to fine tune, using reference pitches or an electronic tuner (available as a phone app). Be warned that if you cut a cylinder too short, it will be impossible to correct, and you will have to simply cut the piece shorter for a different, higher pitch. Depending on the material you're using, you will need an X-acto knife, small saw, or paring/pocket knife to cut and trim. I used a paring knife to fine tune my boom pipes (large white example above) because the plastic is surprisingly soft. Warning: PVC dust is harmful to your health, so take your measurements to the hardware store and have them do most of the cutting; then wear a mask if you need to fine tune. If you have a limited amount/length of material, simply create a limited tone set such as a pentatonic scale or only the tonic and dominant of a key for use as a bordun. OK, here's how to figure out the lengths you need: (1) Find or create your fundamental note (prime, tonic, 'do') by comparing a long but musical-sounding length of your material to a reference pitch or use an electronic tuner (or phone app). Determine what note it is. It will likely be flat or sharp and need trimming. (Remember: longer = lower; shorter = higher.) The note you identify can be the fundamental pitch of your set, or you can trim the cylinder to be the tonic of the key you want. (Hint: middle C is often about 25" long, and the C below is usually around 51".) Note: as with Boomwhackers, if you cap one end, the pitch will drop one octave. (2) Once your fundamental note is in tune, measure its length carefully (centimeters is best). Divide this measurement by the decimals below to determine the lengths of additional notes. Scale Interval Ratio Divide by Tempered (for comparison) do Prime 1:1 1.0 (1, 1) re Major second 8:9 1.125 (1.22, 1.125) mi Major third 4:5 1.266 (1.260, 1.250) fa Perfect fourth 3:4 1.333 (1.335, 1.333) so Perfect fifth 2:3 1.5 (1.498, 1.5) la Major sixth 3:5 1.688 (1.682, 1.667) ti Major seventh 8:15 1.898 (1.888, 1.875) do' Octave 2:1 2.0 (2, 2) BTW, I'll be posting instructions for making a variety of instruments this summer (while I and other teachers have a little more time to explore).
Here’s 10 ways to use a parachute in the music classroom. Activities will help students learn and practice music concepts. Parachutes can be used for so many fun activities in the music room. I’ve discovered that they are especially helpful during the latter part of the school year when students are more “squiggly” than ever! […]
Junk Jam Music Game: Use recycled items to Explore sound and rhythm. While the kids explore sound and rhythm they learn critical listening skills.
Teaching music on a cart isn't a lot of fun, but with these hacks, you'll have the best chance for success.
You don't have to be 'musical' to make music with your kids! Make a simple music shaker and try some of these easy music activities with your kids!
One Bottle of Pop
One of my favorite things about the Orff Schulwerk philosophy of teaching is the ability to go from something relatively simple to an experience that is complex and exciting. You start with a song, add in movement, add in new layers, add in an ostinato, include a game, move students […]
Great list and variety of supplies new teachers actually need that won't break the bank. Perfect for gift ideas for teachers!
Over many years people have asked me about how I come up with the crazy instruments I build. Surely I must have a phenomenally creative mind. Um, no. I just look at other “real” instr…
I do not usually have very much student work to display since my students' "work" happens during our class performances. However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show off the 4th and 5th grade Stomp Projects. Each group completed a worksheet to show the rhythms they chose, the instruments they played, and an explanation of their performance. The students really enjoy finding their group's work in the display and checking out all of the pictures! Update: After many requests, I have decided to share my Stomp: Trash Percussion Group Project! Click here if you would like to download a copy. :)
Remember that one time I competed in One Month to Win it? I know, ages ago, right? I definitely planned on showing you my tutorials from O...
Learn how to use a found sounds box to engage your students in classifying and describing sounds, composing rhythm pieces and even creating their own new instrument. STEAM in the Music Room at its best.
This Make a PVC Xylophone is such a fun, hands on kids...
Music Word Search & Crossword Puzzles. This resource is excellent for music history and world music units, end-of-year activities, and middle school and general music lessons and sub plans. This One Puzzle Pack includes 14 fantastic music word searches and other puzzles for your music students. PRINTABLE OR DIGITAL: Choose Your Format - These activities come in 3 different formats. 1. PRINTABLE FORMAT Print and hand it out. 2. GOOGLE SLIDES 3. DIGITAL TPT EASEL FORMAT These activities can be assigned in Google Classroom or with a link. You can access the Easel version via your purchases or product listing pages. This will give you a digital version of prepared TpT EASEL digital pages. WHAT'S INCLUDED: 44 pages in one puzzle pack. This does NOT include the title pages and TOU. Music Puzzle Pack 1 contains the following puzzles: Baroque Composers Word Search Classical Composers Word Search Romantic Composers Word Search Elements of Music Mix and Match Music Word Scramble Orchestra Crossword puzzle Chords and Key signs Word Search Folk Instruments Word Search Italian Terms Crossword Music Symbols Word Search Music Word Scramble 1 Music Styles Word Search Great Composers Scramble Motown Crossword An ANSWER SHEET is provided for all 14 puzzles! PERFECT FOR: middle school and general music homework sheets bell-ringers music centers early finishers sub-plans world music units music history units ⭐️CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW FOR MORE INFORMATION! ___________________________________ WHAT TEACHERS HAVE SAID: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Great to use as a Do-Now when my students are entering class and getting settled." (Thank you, Britta) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "These make EXCELLENT sub plans for subs without a music background!" (Thank you, Jeralee) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Great resource. Students love puzzles, and it's a fun way to reinforce concepts and vocabulary." (Thank you, Michele) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Great, ready-to-use resource! Will use the word searches as extra work for students who complete their piano practice and tests early. I especially like how the music symbols word search just shows the symbols, so it still assesses their knowledge of the term used to define the symbol!" (Thank you, Claire) ___________________________________ Copyright © MusicTeacherResources. All rights reserved by the author. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Not for public display. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product. ___________________________________ ➯ Don't forget to leave feedback. You will receive TPT credits that can be used on future purchases! ___________________________________
The drinking straw flute was such a success, I was anxious for my son to make another instrument. When I found instructions to make pal...
Do you have fraying mallets and a very small budget? This was my problem. But, it is not a problem anymore! I was brave and patient and learned how to rewrap my own mallets. The photo above shows blue mallets that were very frayed. The red mallets have been rewrapped by me! With a little patience and practice, you can learn how to wrap mallets too and free up some money in your classroom budget for other resources. Before gaining the courage to make that first cut and unwrap a mallet, I watched at least 2 hours of video tutorials. There are several different techniques and videos out there in cyberspace, but I found that Episode 198 from Drummer Talk provides the most comprehensive and clear demonstration. I suggest you watch this entire video BEFORE attempting to wrap your own mallets. These are the supplies Dave Kropf suggests before beginning your project: Scissors Darning Needles (Size 18) Yarn (Size 3) As you wrap and cross the yarn over the top of the mallet, it should be placed off-center. This creates a nice crown which will be stitched to keep the yarn in place. When first attempting to wrap, I found it easiest to keep the yarn off-center on mallets that have more of a flattened core on top. If you have one, begin with this style core rather than a spherical core. After wrapping about 4 mallets, I found a groove and my wrapping and rotating technique became more automatic. During several evenings, I would sit on the couch and wrap mallets while watching television. Below, you can see many of the mallets I have rewrapped. The mallets with the white shafts were crowned with the technique Dave uses in the video because that is how they were crowned from the factory. Most of the mallets with black shafts were crowned with a back-stitch because I tried to imitate how they came from the factory. I encourage you to find some confidence and attempt to learn something new! After wrapping several pairs, I looked back at the first pair I wrapped and decided to cut them off and rewrap them again! My technique had improved so quickly, that I was not happy with my first pair anymore. I even got a little wild and crazy and made RAINBOW MALLETS!!! These are a great incentive. I reward a student who is doing a great job and allow them to play with the rainbow mallets like a ROCK STAR! Go forth! Be brave! Happy wrapping! Update: This post has been featured on the March 2016 Music Education Blog Carnival. Check out the rest of the carnival by clicking this link.
OK, I am now 3 days behind in my own Layout A Day Challenge (I can catch up this week during pre-school). It was a busy, busy, busy weekend -- one kids birthday party, one trip to Pumpkinville (If you...
In my previous post, I shared with you our xylophone playing experience and xylophone science so today I want to share with you how we extended our xylophone extravaganza into the art experience as well... To make our own craft stick
A fun hand game to play by yourself or with a friend! Hit your upper chest with a fist or open palm. Boom!
Using music in the secondary classroom is a great way to engage students, so here are some songs to use in ELA, and some ways to use them. (Blog post)
Kids love to make noise! Here's a way to turn that love of sound into a fun learning experience. Here are some fun musical instruments t...
Bucket drumming for kids is a great boredom buster and gross motor activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of all ages!
Snow day? More like #iamcreative day.
Inspire your child's inner rockstar with these 31 homemade instruments for kids. Use things around the house or classroom to create some DIY music makers.
Life is more fun with music! What if you and your kids can make them on your own with simple materials at home? Check out these easy and fun tutorial on DIY musical and homemade
Subscribe to the Sing Play Create Free Resource Library. Music activities, worksheets, songs and games for PreK-6th grades.
Looking for a fun, simple introduction to music for kids? This free printable music booklet is a playful way to learn music theory.
