LESSON
7
Student Instruction
Making Straw Reed Instruments
Making the Reed
To make the reed, cut a wedge about 1 cm
(½ in) long at one end of the straw, as
shown by the dotted lines.
Before playing your instrument, flatten the reed by
pulling it between your thumbnail and forefinger.
Making a Longer Instrument
As shown above, make a reed at one end
of a straw.
Then flare the other end of
the straw with a pencil.
Now fit a straw of the same diameter
securely into the flared end.
56
AndersonElizabeth
STC™ / Sound
Saturday, September 7, 2013 1:04:04 PM ET
Making an Instrument with Finger Holes
As shown before, make a reed at one end of
a straw.
Now punch holes in the side of the straw using
a hole punch. (It will help if you make the holes
so that they are at the top of the instrument
when you play it.)
Making a Slide Instrument
Take two straws—one with smaller diameter and
one with larger diameter.
At one end of the straw with the smaller diameter,
make a reed as shown before.
Insert the other end of the straw with the smaller diameter into the straw
with the larger diameter.
Lesson 7 / Designing a Reed Instrument
AndersonElizabeth
Saturday, September 7, 2013 1:04:04 PM ET
57
Ideas for Straw Reed Instruments
Activity Sheet 7
Straw Oboe
Use hole punch to
make finger holes.
Straw Bassoon
Join several straws
by flaring ends.
Straw Reed Trombone
Insert straw with smaller
diameter into straw with
larger diameter.
58
AndersonElizabeth
STC™ / Sound
Saturday, September 7, 2013 1:04:04 PM ET