How to Make Homemade Drums With Pots & Pans

There's an entire band drum section in your kitchen.

When you feel the need to get musical, or want to entertain a small child for a while, nothing beats making homemade drums with pots and pans. Break out the ear plugs, grab a wooden spoon and let the rhythm flow.

Things You'll Need

• Metal kitchen pots Metal kitchen pans Metal pot and pan lids Wooden spoon Metal skewer Metal fork

Instructions

1. Raid your kitchen cabinets for a collection of metal pots, pans and their lids. For the most varied musical sound, choose pots and pans of many different sizes. Also get one or two wooden spoons, an assortment of metal utensils like forks and spoons, and long metal skewers if you have them available.

2. Arrange the pots and pans on a flat surface such as a table or the floor. Placing them on a carpeted floor, rug or towel will dampen the sound somewhat. It is important to be sure the pots and pans do not slide about when you are rocking out on them. Place larger pots in the back row and shorter pans in the front.

3. Balance pot and pan lids on top of tall cans, such as those for juice or soup. You can also hang them by the lid handle from the ceiling or a nearby shelf. Hanging them, or propping them up on taller things, will create a more authentic cymbal sound. A pan lid resting on a surface will result in a dull sound. Keep two large pan lids separate so you can pick them up by the handles and crash them together.

4. Create the heavy beat of a bass drum by hitting your largest pot with a wooden spoon. A wooden spoon will create a duller sound than a metal utensil. Medium-sized pots and pans can be tom-tom drums, congo drums, or snare drums without the snare. Experiment with using different metal, wood, or even plastic kitchen tools and utensils on the different pots and pans. Metal skewers and chop sticks make the softest sound and are great for cymbals.

5. Gather your friends and family together for a drum solo concert. Try to play the drum beats and rhythms of popular songs or old favorites. Invite other people to bring their own pot and pan drums or other musical instruments to join in the fun. When you are done being musical, remember to put the pots and pans back in the kitchen in time for dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Prolonged pot and pan drumming may cause headaches.