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How to Make Your Own Acoustic Instruments

Plastic Easter eggs can be used to make an acoustic instrument.

Acoustic instruments create sound without the use of external amplifiers and external power sources. This means that anything that has its own acoustics can be considered an acoustic instrument. With this knowledge, it becomes easier to conceive and construct your own instruments. Acoustic instruments can be made with string, metal, wood and even paper.

Xylophone


Step 1 Cut seven pieces of pipe. Each pipe should be about 1 inch shorter than the previous pipe. This will allow you to create several different pitches. Tune the pipes by cutting the sides to match your pitches.

Step 2 Create a wooden frame to hold the pipes in place. Use hard wood such as oak or maple and cut two sides that are 3 inches high, by 1 inches wide and 12 inches long. Create an additional two inserts that are 2 inches high, by 1 inch wide and 4 inches wide. Place the inserts between the two sides and attach them with wood glue and two nails in each side.

Step 3 Play the xylophone by hitting the pipes with a mallet. You can use bouncy balls attached to a dowel or find a wooden spoon to strike the pipes. String Instrument Step 1 Create a wooden frame in the shape of an L at least 8 1/2 inches long on each side and 2 inches wide. This will act as the frame for each string. To create the frame use wood glue to attach the two 8 1/2 inch wood slats together. To make it more secure, hammer two nails into the side to keep the slats secured together.

Step 4 Play the string instrument by plucking each string. You can create additional tension and increase the pitch of each string by using thumbtacks. Place thumbtacks above the holes and loop the string around the thumbtack. This will increase the tension and raise the pitch.

Shakers 


Step 1 Place rice or small pebbles inside large, plastic Easter eggs.

Step 2 Wrap the eggs with duct tape to ensure they do not come apart.

Step 3 Shake the eggs and use them as maracas.

References DSO Kids: Make Your Own Instruments [http://www.dsokids.com/athome/makeinstrument.aspx]
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