How to Build Percussion Instruments

A drum is one type of percussion instrument that you can make at home.

Percussion instruments are instruments that you play by striking, shaking or scraping. These types of instruments are used in nearly every genre of music. Instead of buying expensive instruments from a music store, you can make your own percussion instruments at home. Making percussion instruments can help kids actively learn about what causes instruments to produce specific noises. You can even use your own instruments in a rhythm band right at home.

Things You'll Need

• Cups
• Glue
• Tape
• Markers
• Rice, beans or pebbles
• Brown shoe polish
• Rags
• Pie pans

Instructions

Finger Drum

1. Glue two foam, plastic or paper cups together, end to end, with the mouths of the cups facing outward.

2. Tear off strips of masking tape (about 3 inches each), and cover the cups with the tape. Be sure to cover the mouths of the cups as well.

3. Dab some brown shoe polish onto an old rag and rub the strips of tape that are all over the cups. Let the polish dry for a few minutes, and then use another clean rag to dab off any extra polish.

4. Decorate the drum with permanent markers. Depending on the markings that you use, you can make your drum look Native American or African.

5. Play the drum by tapping your fingertips on either end of the instrument.

Pan Tambourine

1. Pour into metal pie pan a small handful of material that will make a rattling sound. Good materials to use include dried beans, raw rice or tiny pebbles.

2. Glue another pie pan onto the first one so that the rattling material is enclosed between the two pans.

3. Decorate the pie-pan tambourine with paint or stickers.

4. Shake the instrument and strike it against your hand in order to make music.

References

• Artists Helping Children: Kids Musical Instruments Arts and Crafts