How do you make a musical instrument out of household items?

Answer 1

The matchbox guitar, though it will only serve as a miniature of a real one, is meant to demonstrate to us how string Musical Instruments work. Now, get the materials ready and start building your very own matchbox guitar!

MaterialsYou will need the following items for this activity:

• Matchbox
• Rubber bands
• Wood that can be carved (recommended wood is balsa wood because it is light and soft and has a coarse open grain)
• Carving knife

ProceduresGive yourself about 15 to 30 minutes to complete your miniature guitar.

To start off, take your balsa wood and carving knife to make the body of the guitar. Slice the wood into a flat triangle so that the length of its longest side is a few units longer than the width of the matchbox. Empty the matchbox and then place the wooden triangle across the width of the matchbox, allowing the corner to protrude on one side. Trim the side that protrudes from the box. Now, put the remaining wood onto the matchbox and then slide the box open, leaving a quarter of it closed.

Now, fit the rubber bands around the matchbox on the long side. Make sure you arrange the rubber bands evenly, as these will serve as the strings of your miniature guitar. To keep the strings tight and snug, pull the matchbox open just a little bit more.

Try it out by playing your miniature guitar! Your matchbox guitar should in the end look like this:

Source: sciencefairadventure.com

DiscussionThe activity is pretty much straight forward and it functions just like a real guitar does! You create a sound by plucking the strings. Furthermore, pinching the strings on one end while plucking them at the same time allows you to change the pitch of the sound. Try it out yourself!

Aside from Guitars, other string musical instruments include violin, cello, mandolins, bandurria, Ukulele and a lot more!

Answer 2

PLANNING: How will you make it? What did you make it of? How much will it cost? I am going to glue strips of newspaper onto a balloon and do about 5 layers; Each layer will take one day to dry. Then I will create the arm with wrapping paper roll and glued newspaper strips with five layers also. Next I have to put split pins on either side of the neck to attach the guitar strings to and at the base of the lute. Attach guitar strings to split pins at neck and base of lute I made it of newspaper, homemade glue, a balloon, split pins, guitar strings and a wrapping paper roll. Costs... Newspaper from recycle bin: $0.00, Homemade glue from flour & water: $1.00, Balloon: $0.50, Recycled wrapping paper roll: $0.00 Guitar strings: $5.00 Split pins: $1.00

Answer 3

A simple idea to do musical instruments out of waste:

• Take a empty match box. cover it with a nice coloured paper.
• take a rubber band stick both the edge on each side of the match box.
• Take a empty plastic bottle (coco cola). Cut the bottle in the shape of the match box.
• Cover it with colour paper.
• Take the match box keep the double side tape on the side of it.
• Insert it on the bottle.
• Leave it for some time.
• IF NEED STICK BEEDS ETC..

Answer 4

Making musical instruments from garbage is a great way to recycle. Finding an old shoe box and some rubber bands can make a nice guitar or using an ice cream bucket for a drum.

Answer 5

Save up money you wont be able to get true sound and bass out of fake home made ones

Answer 6

Well you could use a pot as a drum and a wooden spoon as a beater :) or you could, well really just make it up as you go along !

Answer 7

Use an empty tissue box and rubber bands. strap the rubber bands around the tissue box. attach a toilet paper role handle if you'd like.

Answer 8

use paper or bottle