Sounds of Music?
By Amanda Formaro

Rhythm, listening, instruments, sound.

Throughout history people have been positively or negatively affected by
noise of all kinds. Loud thunder can make one jump; the gentle lapping of
waves on the shore can lull one into a relaxed sleep. Music has similar
effects. Put on a dance record for exercise or house cleaning, play
classical to soothe a colicky baby or read by the fire.

Musical instruments have been unearthed in the oldest archaeological digs and modern teens walk aimlessly about while strapped to colorful headphones.

But, just how did poor or uneducated folks manage to make music? From
washboards to bean-filled gourds, they found a way.

Try some sounds of your own.

Gather empty cans, old pots, plastic bowls, paper towel cores, dried beans or small pebbles, plastic utensils, cloth scraps and noisemakers.

To make a ‘shaker’, cover one end of a cardboard tube with a piece of cloth and use glue or a strong rubber band to make it secure. Fill about a fifth of the tube with the dried beans or pebbles and close the opposite end. To make different sounds, cover a portion of the tube with duct tape or several layers of cloth. Practice shaking to create various sounds. Try this with a plastic jar or small metal can, too.

Stretch a piece of heavy cloth over the opening of an empty coffee can and secure with rubber bands. Practice tapping the top with a large plastic or metal stirring spoon. What happens if you place a few marbles inside?

Glue small, round bells to the end of a paint stirrer and cover the handle
with cloth or cloth tape. Practice shaking, rolling, gentle movement and
tapping.

Tap a metal utensil against the side of a full and empty can, a piece of
wood, plastic or other hard material to hear the different sounds.

Cut strips from a heavy plastic bottle (soda works well), punch a small hole in the top of each strip and tie together with string to make a flapper.

Once you have pulled your instruments together, practice making sounds that are both pleasing and irritating to the ear. Discuss the difference and the emotional manifestations of both. How does it change one’s mood, trigger memories, make you want to rest or jump around? If you put your hand on a homemade drum can you ‘feel’ the sound? What if you cover your ears with your hands or a woolen cap?

Create a rhythm or mimic a modern tune, sing along and start your own
musical group!

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