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VIRTUAL COYOTE

VIRTUAL COYOTE

A CREATIVE RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES.

VIRTUAL COYOTE

Here at Coyote Central, we love to think outside of the box! During lockdown, we challenged ourselves to find new ways to engage from home. We invite you to come along for the ride…

And don’t forget to share your experiences with us!

We want to see YOUR CREATIVITY IN ACTION! Send photos, completed (or not completed!) projects, or anything else that seems relevant to info@coyotecentral.org

 

Handmade Pan Flute [MUSIC]

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

TIME COMMITMENT: 20 MINUTES

THE CHALLENGE: Can you make a musical instrument using a few drinking straws and tape? Experiment with pitch and learn how sound is made by simply blowing air through straws.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • Drinking straws (paper, if possible because: save the planet)

  • Ruler

  • Scissors

  • Tape

HOW TO DO IT:

  1. Line up 7 to 10 straws on a smooth surface. Leave the first straw alone and then use a ruler and scissors to trim 1/2 inch from the second straw. Cut off 1 inch from the third straw, 1 1/2 inches from the fourth straw, and so on, cutting an additional 1/2 inch from each successive straw.

  2. Place a long piece of tape on a smooth surface with the sticky side up.

  3. Arrange the straws on the tape from longest to shortest, with the tops of straws flush in a line.

  4. Fold the tape over the straws and secure it on the other side.

  5. Play the pan flute by holding the straight edge of the straws up and blowing air across the top of the straws.

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OBSERVATIONS: Which straw makes the highest pitch? The lowest? Is there a relationship between the length of the straw and the sound that comes out of it?

NOW TRY THIS! Experiment with the pan flute to try to play a simple song like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Do you need more straws?

THE HOWS + THE WHYS: Sound is produced by the vibration of air blowing across the open hole at the end of a resonating tube. This is the same way that sound is produced through a trumpet or a recorder.

Alex Peterson