Make Your Own Instruments

Banish Budget Woes
Music budget a bit tight?
Not to worry.
With a little time and energy, and the ability to follow instructions, your faith community can build up a collection of instruments in no time using easily obtainable materials.

What to Make
A casual visit to your local carpet dealer could see you with the makings of carpet tube bongos. PVC offcuts can be transformed into a nifty xylophone, and pipes. The possibilities are endless, and the costs are low. In northern Victoria some years ago, I know of one man who recovered road kill to make his djembe drums - not everyone's idea of a good time.

Gather a bunch of people together and make a day of it.

Here's a sample of 'make your own instruments' sites available.

Planet Green
Includes rain sticks, balloon drums, pipes and more, with video footage to assist in the crafting.

DSO Kids
Make claypot chimes, maracas and even a xylophone using PVC pipe.

Mudcat
Includes a gourd rattle and carpet tube bongos.

Bushwahzee
For an Aussie bush flavour this site includes instructions for making a lagerphone, washboard and box bass.

How to Tan a Leather Hide
Not for the faint hearted!