Let’s play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments

Musical instruments made from empty cans

[WakuWaku-san’s Craft Class] Make “can instruments” out of empty cans—build them and play them! (We’re introducing two can instruments!)

The sound changes and it’s so much fun! Here are some ideas for making can instruments from empty cans.

You’ll need an empty can, an awl, tape, and chopsticks.

First, remove the pull tab from the can and attach a straw.

The key is to flatten the straw as you tape it on.

Next, punch holes at 2 cm intervals starting from the drinking opening.

Finally, make one hole on the opposite side, and you’re done! It’s fun because the sound changes when you cover and uncover the holes with your fingers.

Give it a try!

Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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kepiko

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Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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kepiko

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A kalimba that makes a hopping sound

[Instrument Craft] Boing-Boing Sounds♪ Kalimba <Upcycled Craft / Handmade Toy> [Empty Box / Spoon / Rubber Bands] Easy to Make

A kalimba is a traditional African instrument consisting of a wooden box fitted with thin metal or bamboo tines.

This time, let’s make a kalimba using an empty candy box and plastic spoons! The method is simple: just use rubber bands to fasten the spoons to the empty box.

To improve stability, you’ll need to create grooves to hold some chopsticks, but don’t worry—the process is as easy as making small cuts with scissors.

Place your handmade kalimba on a desk, hold the body down with your hand, and pluck the spoons to produce interesting sounds.

Try experimenting with how the way you secure the spoons changes the pitch.

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Hane Keisuke

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10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles

Summer Vacation Independent Research: 10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles [Crafts]

Musical instruments can produce all kinds of sounds and are fascinating, but many people may feel hesitant to buy a lot when they’re not sure how much they’ll actually use them.

Here, we’ll introduce many instruments you can make using plastic bottles.

For example, castanets made by attaching plastic bottle caps to cardboard, a whistle made by punching a hole in a cap and inserting a straw, and even instruments with different pitches just by letting the air out of a plastic bottle.

There are also plastic bottle drums and a “petphone,” made by connecting plastic bottles cut to various lengths.

Use these as references and give it a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Let’s make a professional kalimba

Let's make an authentic kalimba!

It would be fun to make a genuine musical instrument using items you can get at home improvement stores or online, wouldn’t it? This time, we’ll introduce a handmade, authentic kalimba.

A kalimba is a traditional African instrument played by plucking thin metal tines attached to a box or board.

Using a box or board allows the sound to resonate.

Let’s try making one by building a wooden box and attaching thin rods.

Specialized kalimba metal tines, called kalimba keys, are also available from online retailers.

Master the playing technique, and let your kalimba produce beautiful tones.

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Nakajima Junko

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Let’s try making musical instruments from around the world

[Latin America & Education] Try it at Home: Let’s Make Musical Instruments from Around the World! [Rainstick]

Let’s make a rainstick, a musical instrument from around the world that sounds like falling rain.

Prepare toothpicks, an empty plastic wrap tube, rubber bands, beads, fabric scraps, nail clippers, a hole punch or awl, and glue.

Start by making spiral-shaped holes along the tube.

It can be slippery, so be careful while punching the holes.

Insert toothpicks into the holes.

Use the nail clippers to trim any parts of the toothpicks that stick out, then apply glue over them to secure.

Cover one end of the tube with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band.

Pour beads in from the other end, then cover that end with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band in the same way.

Decorate the tube, and you’re done.

It’s a rainstick that produces the sound of rain or waves—give it a try!

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mayumi

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