::: musical straws
We love our music here and often play instruments. Generally we use shop bought ones or simple percussion instruments we can make ourselves (see our post on drums).
We also like to give the children the opportunity to make their own, so started off this week by making a straw into an instrument.
It was very simple to do and created heaps of laughter when the children heard the sound that is produced.
They took a plastic straw and cut the end into a point …
so it looked a bit like a pencil.
Then they flattened the end as much as they could.
The pointed end goes into your mouth and you need to blow really hard (but make sure you don’t squash the straw or the air won’t travel through it). It makes your lips tickle which makes the children giggle.
Some children got it straight away and played their straw instrument the whole session.
The longer the straw the lower the sound, the shorter the straw, the higher the sound.
Easy and fun.
Tags: musical instrument, straw
I have never seen this before! I knew there HAD to be more to do with straws!
The children look like they are having a marvelous time! Thank you! Oh, about the pointed end, any concerns with using it with specific age groups?
Barbra our children are aged 4 and 5 and we didn’t experience any concerns … they were too busy making music and having fun … However on any other day there is always the chance they would turn them into weapons or missiles. I guess you’d just have to be on the ball to see what might happen.
Oh, this is going to be a fun thing to do tomorrow! I can already see how hard they’ll have to concentrate to cut that point. Then they’ll take them home and drive the parents crazy! Hee hee!
Just had to tweet this post, often the most simple ideas are so successful!
I must be doing something wrong – can’t get a peep out of mine
Which end do you flatten?
Lisa flatten the pointed end. When you blow, the ends need to vibrate together to make the sound so be sure not to squeeze so tight the air can’t escape. It might help if you curl you lips around your teeth … you’ll feel it and then you’ll get it every time . Keep trying!
haha! Got it! Thanks for the advice – now I know what I’m doing tomorrow at Nursery