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How and where can I find materials for creating my instrument?

Creating instruments with recycled materials is less expensive than purchasing parts and contributes to helping the environment by avoiding waste!

Think About

  • Where can I find materials for building an instrument?
  • What types of materials would work the best for my instrument?
  • How might materials affect the sound of my instrument?

Get Started

  1. Start where you live and collect materials.
  • To make an instrument out of recycled materials, it doesn’t make sense to go out and buy materials. So, look around your home and yard and be creative.
  • If you need materials that you don’t have at home, ask your neighbors and look for local scrap yards in your area.
  • Don’t forget to ask for permission if the materials you find don’t belong to you!
  • Make sure your materials are safe to use. Use common sense. Don’t use something rusty, sharp, or that could break easily. Make sure the materials are clean and don’t contain any toxic chemicals or materials. 

Share What you Learned

If you are using the LRNG platform:

  • Go back, find out what to submit, and complete the XP

If you are not using the LRNG platform:

  • Continue below and share with your teacher or organization:

Sharing What You Learned

  • Discuss some of the materials you collected. Include information about:
    • What you think you might use the materials for
    • Where you found the materials
    • How they are examples of you recycling materials (rather than purchasing new materials)

 

Return to the XP How can I create instruments and interfaces with Recycled Materials? (continue to the next XP in the mini-playlist)