This page contains an excerpt from my Musical Inventions workshop page, plus a sample of the video version which shows one of the projects kids learn how to make. All workshops include written and printable instructions and links to additional resources. Find out more here!

Musical Inventions

Make Instruments with Science!

Adapted from the book Musical Inventions by Kathy Ceceri, published by Make

How Does Sound Work?

• Sound travels in waves.

• When you hit or move something, it starts to vibrate.

• The vibrations push against air molecules around it. This creates waves of air.

• The waves of air molecules hit your ear drum.

• You ear sends electrical signals to your brain. Your brain reads these signals as sound.

Parts of an Instrument

Musical Instruments have one or more of the following:

Make a Paper Popper

Try changing the volume of a sound by adding more energy!

What you need

• piece of lightweight paper, such as notebook paper

Instructions

1. Fold long side in half. Open.

2. Fold top down to middle crease. Repeat. Fold down along middle crease.

3. With folded flap out, fold short ends together.

4. Hold by flap and pull corner out, forming two “tunnels” or wings.

5. Hold by flap, with point sticking out.

6. Flick forward, towards tunnel openings. Paper should pop!