Unit 3 Journal: Entry #4

Percussion instruments are some of the easiest to make at home. Try to make a few of those listed below to get a better understanding of how percussion instruments work.

Shakers:
To make shakers all you need are containers and fillers. Some good containers are vitamin/pill bottles, film canisters, small coffee containers, etc. Fillers can be anything from beads (plastic, metal, or wood) dried rice or beans, uncooked popcorn, etc. Put the filler in the container and shake!

Tambourine:
To make the tambourine you need 2 paper plates, a stapler, hole punch, string, and jingle bells. Staple the paper plates together, facing each other. Punch holes around the edge of the plate and tie jingle bells to the holes with string. Shake to play.

Drums:
Many household items can be used as drums. Pots and pans, empty coffee cans, Tupperware® containers, etc. You can use pencils or sticks of similar size as drum sticks. Experiment by hitting different types of "drums" around the house. Do different materials (for example metals versus plastics) produce different sounds? Write about your discoveries in the Unit 3 Journal located in the Unit 3: Musical Instruments folder.