It's a beautiful day here in Cotati, CA.
Remember, making SOUND and rhythm is the key. Be creative and have fun. Music is about experssing oneself (and ultimately releasing oneself) so there is no "right" way to do it. Just encourage your children (and you) to have fun!
Here are some instruments you can make at home.
- Plastic Easter Egg Shakers
filling: rice, barley, dried peas or beans. You can also fill different eggs with different things and have children compare sounds
Hot glue gun, and hot glue - Instructions: Put a couple of tablespoons (you can experiment with sound before sealing) of rice or other filling in bottom half of egg. Run a bead of hot glue along the inside edge of the TOP of the egg. Carefully place top on and check to be sure it’s on straight and tight.
Comments: The larger size egg is fun, but if you use eggs the size of real eggs, you can store them in egg cartons painted to match the egg colors, and children can sort them when putting them away.
- Paper Mache Fruit Shakers
Materials:
vegetable spray or cooking oil
pieces of fruit
newspaper torn in to small pieces
large tray to catch mess
paste made of 3 parts water to 1 part white glue
acrylic paints and clear finish material (water-based Polyurethane is recommended)
paint brushes
disposable gloves - Instructions: Put a thin coating of vegetable spray or oil on piece of fruit. Dip pieces of newspaper in glue or starch, removing excess by pulling paper between fingers. Completely cover fruit with several layers of newspaper. Allow to dry for a couple of days. Cut fruit in half with a serrated knife, and remove fruit and skin. Discard or compost. Put rice other filler in paper fruit, and use small amount of masking tape to seal halves together. Repeat with several more layers of glue-dipped newspaper, and again allow to dry. You can lightly sand any rough edges before painting. Paint with appropriate fruit colors, and seal with Polyurethane.
