Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Music from Nature (Ohio Corner View)

I told the Little Ladies to design some instruments from nature. I did allow them to use rubber bands, the rest was to be something from nature. They tried all types of sticks, some were too brittle, some were too fat, some were too straight; eventually they found some that were just right; here are the two best designs they came up with:



Fauna's looked like a harp and it had a great range of pitch.




Araina's was out of a Y-shaped branch, it had a decent range of pitch. She loved designing instruments and is planning on making more tomorrow!


We also tried to make music with a blade of grass. Fauna almost got it right.


Not sure what Rainy was thinking here, but she tried.



Here is the correct way to make music from a blade of grass from eHow:

1. Search for a strong, wide, thick blade of grass. It must be at least as long as your forefinger and not have any tears or holes in it. Pluck the piece of grass carefully from the ground as close to the root as you can.
2. Hold up your left hand in a loose fist with your thumb pointing upward. Your thumbnail must be turned toward you.
3. Put your right hand up next to your left hand with the blade of grass flat along the right side of the thumb.
4. Bring your hands together and hold the grass between your thumbs. There should be a gap between the first and second joints of your thumbs where the grass is not touching either the right or left thumb.
5. Maneuver the grass so that it is stretched tightly in the gap between your thumbs and put this area to your mouth so the gap is against your lips.
6. Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle and blow hard into this gap. You will be able to hear the loud sound the grass makes if you do it correctly.
7. Make different pitches by flexing your thumbs to make music. The tighter the grass is stretched, the higher the pitch it makes.


*Visit Fauna's blog, Three Black Inkspots, she also did a corner view this week. :)

35 comments:

Linda said...

How wonderful, making music from nature, I definately think we must try the blade of grass today, thanks for the instructions.

Anonymous said...

Good idea music from nature... Have a musical day !

Bonnie said...

how clever your girls are !!

Juana said...

Oh, I can hear the music of the fairies!
Bravissime!

therese said...

ha! i knew you had something clever up your sleeve ;)

Pamela said...

Great post - love the instruments from nature!

Tara said...

This is an interesting challenge... the instruments are well done- I wish I could hear them!

Joy said...

That's great! Love Fauna's harp. :)

denise said...

Love that. We have been doing the grass between two popsicle sticks connected with rubberband - but they like the 'natural' way better (although less successful). The instruments look great! My boys don't often make it past the drumsticks stage... ;P

Daan said...

so sweet (and such beautiful names!)

Crescent Moon said...

I've never been able to do that blade of grass thing correctly, but I have tried. I have students who think that's funny to do in the middle of class.
The homemade instruments were a great idea!

Joyce said...

This is so sweet and adorable. They have a great imagination!!

Jeanette said...

Beautiful to make music from nature. We kan make music from a leave of some hedges. It makes a funny noise :0)

caitlin said...

What a creative thing for kids to do. Definitely beats watching t.v.! I love those little harps. So cute. What a good mom you are!

;) said...

It a lovely idea !!! I'm curious about this music ;)

gardenmama said...

Oh, the picture of your daughter and her harp is so gorgeous! I love this idea! We have made many instruments from found objects around the house never thought of using nature, we may just have to try this today : )
I remember my grandfather who was a farmer teaching us how to make music from the grass, acorns, also how to make a horn and it made quite a sound from a vegetable stalk, I wish now that I remember which it was... zucchini, squash possibly? I will have to check that out. Thank you for bringing this memory to mind : )

The Girl in the Yellow Shoes said...

Lovely! Looks delightful.

Di said...

Natural music - very cool!

Kasia said...

What a beautiful post- wonderful idea of creating your own instruments. When my daughter is old enough, we'll as well. Thank you so much for sharing :)

kyndale said...

oh, gosh, we have to try the whistle thing...Now that I have instructions..thank you! I love the instruments too. You are so creative!

MUS said...

such a great idea! so sweet.

april said...

i like your childrens fauna nature music. and i'm still in love with your moustache tutorial*

Palmer and Co said...

Oh, you are so clever!! Love this take on music!! The girls are cute than ever in these pics!

Happy Day to you girls!

dongdong said...

I'll have to try it sometimes. very creative of your girls! :)

latisha said...

you might be my hero. do you homeschool? just found you by way of corner view.

aimee said...

this was a really clever idea... i do believe that children can make music from anything :)

Jodi said...

AMAZING POST!!!! very creative. I'm sending your post around to my friends. Yeah!

The Magic Onions said...

You are amazing... what a lovely thing to do.

Elizabeth @claritychaos said...

This is so cool! I found you on Mom in Madison. Great photos, great ideas. Love it.

Louise said...

They look great, the instuments- and what a lovely way to spend your day.

Traveling Mama said...

I love your corner view! What a great tutorial too!

Toni said...

that little harp is too cute, what a wodnerful creative idea. WE have lots of sticks around here could be something to do with them.

Thanks for the tip on the caterpillars never would have thought of cheesecloth something so easy.

dawn klinge said...

Your girls are so clever!

Leanne said...

Beautiful as usual Lisa...nature sure does make the most gorgeous instruments and sounds I believe!

shayndel said...

Beautiful and inspiring.
I see you really are a goddess, creating with your magical and musical girls♬!