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January 28,2000,
Creating musical instruments from scratchInstrumentsfashioned from jars, horse shoes, buckets, PlexiglasBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer GIBBON -- Students at GFW Elementary School recently completed a program that not only fulfilled state-established graduation standards but also created a new look for musical instruments. Nathan Thompson, who began teaching music at GFW Elementary School four years ago, developed a portion of his first semester curriculum around the total musical experience. "This mainly started as a critical thinking project which the students really enjoy," Thompson said. Students drew on their creativity to construct instruments ranging from a drum made out of empty buckets to a type of woodwind instrument made out of a wrapping paper roll and a duck call. One instrument used various shaped glass jars filled with liquid to form a xylophone on which a scale could be played. Thompson pointed out that difference in the sound depends on the amount of liquid in the jars. "The sounds go from the highest to the lowest on all the instruments made and, as is the case with the jars, what you make it out of can change the sound produced," he said. Prior to developing the instruments, the class spent some time studying instrument families and looking at the various variety of instruments. "The students were required to build their own instrument and then had to classify it as to what type of instrument it was," Thompson said. "They also had to explain how the sound was produced." Brass instruments proved the most difficult to make from items found around the house, Thompson explained, showing a trumpet made out of an empty bottle. Brass instruments produce their sound through lip vibrations. "The kids could have their parents help with construction of the instrument, but it had to be their idea," he said. About 300 students in first through fourth grade made instruments. A Plexiglas guitar, horseshoe chimes, a tin can drum set and a PVC pipe Pan flute were among the creations. "The students in third grade made their instruments first, and we ended up with every class of instrument by the time we were done," Thompson said. Holding up a maraca made from a toilet paper tube and tissue paper, he stated that some of the instruments were very simple, but the principle was the same. "This is a true hands-on experience that involves visual, auditory and kinesthetic skills," Thompson said. "When I began the project, I did it because I thought it would be fun and it can be used for all levels. The project brings in all aspects of music." The students were given a grade for the project because it was part of a unit and it proves that learning can be fun, Thompson said. Grades were based on several factors -- constructing an instrument; decorating it with color; having it make a sound; and being able to identify the family and type of instrument.
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