Help your child discover .... Light and Sound (pdf file - 107K)

PIPS2 Activity : Making Musical Instruments

Rationale :
As follow up to a class lesson (aimed at level C), relating the production of sound to vibration (demonstrated in class by the use of a piano, a guitar and a drum) the class were asked to produce their own musical instruments using household ‘junk’.

The task :
A class discussion regarding the types of instruments they could make, the possible materials they could use and the potential ways of producing vibrations (shake, hit, twang etc) took place to encourage creativity.

Materials required :
No materials need to be provided by the class teacher as the children use household junk, although a supply of string, Sellotape, cling film and elastic bands could be made available for those children with no access.

Development :
1) Class show and tell, with individuals demonstrating the instruments they made. As well as detailing the materials used the children should also be able to describe, in simple terms, how sound is produced by their instrument.
2) A class lesson on pitch could also use these instruments. The children could be asked to determine whether they could alter the pitch of their instrument. Can this be done with no changes to their instrument? Would they need to modify their instrument? How?

Knightsridge Primary School