Making Musical Instruments
To develop understanding of how instruments work by designing and making simple instruments.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Expressive Arts & Design
- Learning area: Expressive Arts and Design
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Understands how instrument creates sound
- Makes functional instrument
- Investigates sound properties
- Plays in group with awareness
Materials
- Dried pulses, rice, sand for shakers
- Rubber bands and boxes for strings
- Wooden spoons and pans for percussion
- Decorating materials
Instructions
Discuss how instruments make sound: 'Drums make sound when you hit them. Shakers make sound when things rattle inside. Strings make sound when you pluck or stroke them. What instrument would you like to make?'
Shakers: fill different containers with different amounts of different filling materials. 'Does more rice make a louder sound? Does sand sound different from dried peas? What makes the best sound for a shaker?'
String instruments: stretch rubber bands of different thicknesses across an open box. 'Pluck the thin one — what does it sound like? The thick one — different! Why?' Children investigate without needing the full physics explanation.
Percussion: provide a range of surfaces and beaters. 'Which makes the best drum sound — tin, wood, plastic, card? Which is loudest? Which gives the nicest sound?' Let them investigate and decide.
Decorate finished instruments: 'Now you can paint and decorate your instrument to make it beautiful.' This values the aesthetic alongside the functional.
Create a class band: children play their instruments together to music. 'Keep to the beat! When I signal slow, play slowly. When I signal fast, speed up!' Conducting their own instruments gives enormous satisfaction.