Show Us Your Musical Talent
Make a simple homemade instrument like a shaker or rubber-band guitar, compose a short tune, and perform it to showcase your musical talent.
Step-by-step guide to Show Us Your Musical Talent
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and put them on a clear table or floor space.
Step 2
Turn the box so the open hole faces up.
Step 3
Stretch three to six rubber bands around the box so they run across the hole.
Step 4
Slide a pencil under the rubber bands across the top of the box to act as a bridge.
Step 5
Pluck each rubber band once to hear the different sounds they make.
Step 6
Move the pencil a little forward or backward to make the rubber bands sound higher or lower.
Step 7
Pick four rubber bands that make nice different sounds for your tune.
Step 8
Decide the order of those four rubber bands to make a short melody.
Step 9
Say the order out loud to help yourself remember the tune.
Step 10
Practice playing your short tune three times until it feels smooth.
Step 11
Perform your tune for family or friends and enjoy the applause.
Step 12
Share a photo or video of your finished instrument and your performance on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a box, pencil, or rubber bands?
Use a cereal or tissue box turned so the open hole faces up, replace the pencil bridge with a chopstick or marker, and swap in hair ties or office elastic bands if regular rubber bands aren't available.
What should we do if the rubber bands don't make a clear sound or the pencil keeps slipping?
Ensure the open hole really faces up, lift and reposition the pencil bridge a little forward or backward as in step 5, and space the rubber bands apart so they can vibrate freely without touching the box edges.
How can I adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children have an adult pre-stretch three rubber bands and help place the pencil while they pluck a simple two-note pattern, and for older kids have them pick four bands, experiment with moving the pencil bridge to change pitch, and compose a longer melody to practice.
How can we extend or personalize our homemade instrument and performance?
Decorate the box, label the four chosen rubber bands with colored stickers to remember the order from step 6, connect extra boxes for chords, and record a video of your performance to share on DIY.org.
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Facts about music and instrument-making for kids
🥁 Shakers and rattles are among the world's oldest instruments — people used them in ceremonies thousands of years ago!
🎸 A rubber-band guitar works because tightening a band raises the pitch — it's the same physics as real stringed instruments.
♻️ You can build real-sounding instruments from recycled items like bottles, cardboard, and beans — upcycling + music = double win!
🎶 Many catchy melodies use just 3–5 different notes, which is why short tunes are easy to learn and remember.
🎤 Performing your short tune, even for family or friends, is a great way to grow confidence and have fun sharing music.
