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PROJECT EIGHT:

MAKING MUSIC

DESCRIPTION OF SOUND

Sound is a type of energy created from vibrations. But what does this mean? When something causes vibrations, it causes movement and shifts of particles in the air. When sound travels through air, that air is called a medium. A medium is not limited to the air, however- a medium can be any state of matter. High sounds and low sounds are determined and manipulated through pitch. Pitch is determined by frequency, which deals with the amount of times a wave occurs in a period of time. For example, if a wave is fast and close together, it creates a high note. Loudness of a wave is determined by the amplitude- which is the maximum effort exerted onto a wave. 

MATERIALS FOR MACARONI MARACAS:

  • Dried macaroni

  • Duct tape (or plastic wrap and a rubber band)

  • Plastic cups

MATERIALS FOR MUG DRUMS:

  • Balloons (cut the bottom off so you can stretch it around the mug)

  • Mugs

HOW TO MAKE MACARONI MARACAS:

In order to make macaroni maracas, you have to have some sort of dry pasta. It can be any kind, but I used the little elbow pasta because of its size and I thought it would have a cooler sound. I poured the pasta into plastic cups and topped them with duct tape so nothing would fall out. Once this is done, you have a macaroni maraca!

These mug drums were super easy to make! First, you'll need a few balloons. Cut the bottom of the balloon off so you are left with the top. Stretch this over the mug, and you have just created a drum. Secure with tape or a rubber band if your balloon begins to slide off of the mug. 

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HOW TO MAKE MUG DRUMS:

PLAYING THE MACARONI MARACAS

PLAYING THE MUG DRUMS

SOUND POEM

Sound 

Loaded word, isn't it?

Sound is all around us

Yet we never pay it much attention

Unless we are singing a song

Or laughing at something funny

Or listening to our footsteps as we walk to class

Or typing an assignment that is due in less than an hour.

But wait?

Aren't those all sounds?

Aren't we paying attention to those?

Listen.

Do you hear that? 

You've been hearing so many sounds.

Yet only now do you actually decide to hear them.

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