How To Make A Simple Musical Instrument From Copper Pipe And A Cardboard Box

:: Requires Adult Assembly ::

Making A Coppophone Musical Instrument For The Classroom

It is not uncommon to see children engaged in the act of making musical instruments in the classroom or nursery.

Most instruments that I personally have seen being made in this scenario include shakers made from containers and rice, elastic bands stretched over a lunchbox or other simple to make and perishable instruments.

But what to do if you want to make an instrument that will endure, one that can be an indoor xylophone or perhaps made into outdoor windchimes... If only you had a construction 'recipe'...

We have tried to use common materials but there would be a cost of around £12 for the copper pipe alone. If you are purchasing a pipe-cutting tool or hacksaw then add about another £10. You will often find that you can make this instrument for zero cost by using bits & pieces and simple tools that may already be available at home or within the school/nursery maintenance cupboard.

Coppophone

The Coppophone is a great instrument for teachers to make and share with their class, it sounds beautiful, it isn't terribly loud and with a few simple pointers can provide a lot of educational and entertainment value.

The construction time is about an hour including making a simple mounting frame and, using the dimensions given, you will create a beautiful in-tune (important) instrument that can be used to explore harmony and simple melodies.

Although the instrument that we are making is in a Diatonic scale (the white notes on the piano), it can be simply adapted in the manner of Orff Instruments by removing the F and B notes thus leaving a pentatonic scale that is absolutely ideal for pre-schoolers.

The pentatonic or 'Dragon' scale is a universally recognised 5-note musical format and basic teaching tool. Why? Quite simply because it has NO WRONG NOTES! Dragon scales are recommended by the UK Department for Education and educationalists around the world as a key strategic building block for further musical development.

To illustrate the usefulness as a melody and performance instrument, we will also be providing a further Article with the 'Acka Backa Shacka Lacka Ping Pang Pong' song, one of the songs from our upcoming pentatonic songbook 'sing sang songs'. When you have made your xylophone, you will be able to play and enjoy this music with the children.