Building Instruments

Click HERE to watch Stomp!

Click HERE to learn about the
Paraguay Recycle Orchestra.

When we think of musical instruments, we often imagine a xylophone or a trumpet or a violin that we might buy in a music store.  But people have been making music long before there were stores, building instruments from materials in their environment.  

That innovative tradition continues today!  "Stomp" is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create the rhythms of dance and music.  In another part of the world, students in Paraguay make instruments from materials salvaged from the landfill.

Shaker

 Over the past week, a few students have brought in their very own hand-crafted instruments to share with their classmates.  First, a Grade Two student from Ms. Hansen's class brought in a shaker, and played a bit of a percussion solo (accompanied by Mrs. Mann on the drums).

Thumb Piano

Then a Grade Three student from Ms. Rutland's class brought in a thumb piano he had made with popsicle sticks.  He showed us how to play high and low sounds, and then played a little tune.





Today, we had two more instruments from Grade Two students - a pair of rain sticks.  We noticed that the instrument made from a pipe sounded much different from the one made of cardboard.

. . . and a bigger rain stick!

A rain stick . . .

So be creative, and build something that makes YOUR heart sing!  Share it with a friend, or bring it to school.  But most importantly, enjoy the music and have fun!