How to Make a Bass Using a Fishing Line for Kids

Homemade musical instruments are fun to make and play, and are also a great way to introduce young children to the joys of making music. Help your budding musician make her own one-stringed bass guitar, and get ready for some serious rock and roll.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Round cardboard oatmeal container
• 2 3/4-inch dowels, approximately 4 inches long
• Masking tape
• Knitting needle
• Metal fishing line

1. Secure the bottom of the oatmeal container tightly around the edges with masking tape.
2. Poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the oatmeal container with the knitting needle.
3. Cut a piece of fishing line about 24 inches in length. Tie one end of the fishing line around one of the dowels.
4. Thread the fishing line through the hole in the bottom of the oatmeal container, and pull the dowel snug against the bottom.
5. Bring the fishing line up through the open end of the oatmeal container, leaving the length intact. Tie the end of the fishing line to the second dowel. You now have a one-stringed bass guitar.
6. Set the bass guitar on a table and hold it with your left hand. Hold the dowel with your right hand and pluck the string with your forefinger (reverse this if you are left handed). Hold the fishing line tight for higher tones and relax it for lower tones.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to decorate the "bass guitar," cover the oatmeal container with white construction paper and paint or embellish it any way you like.