From the page: The plastic cup has a bright future
Idea 9
Musical castanet
Percussion instruments made from repurposed materials have existed for centuries — the traditional Spanish castanet was carved from hollow wood, and folk versions always used whatever was at hand, like shells and spoons. The disposable cup works because its rigid, hollow plastic vibrates when struck, and the cavity amplifies the sound, just like the sound box of a guitar.
What you need
- 2 rigid disposable cups (the firmer ones sound better)
- Adhesive tape or rubber band
- Pebbles, beans or grains of rice (a pinch)
- Scissors
- Paint, colored tape or fabric scraps to decorate
How to make it
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1
Cut two cups in half across the middle, using only the bottom parts — the rigid bottom is what vibrates and produces the driest sound, like the wood of a castanet.
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2
Place a pinch of pebbles or grains inside one of the bottoms — the grains striking inside the cavity create a second, shaker-like sound that enriches the beat.
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3
Press the two bottoms together mouth to mouth and secure well with tape or a rubber band — a firm join keeps the energy of the strike from escaping into gaps, making the sound louder and cleaner.
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4
Strike the instrument between your fingers or against the palm of your other hand and test the angles — each striking position changes the frequency, and finding the "sweet spot" is part of the fun.
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5
Decorate the outside with paint or tape — besides looking nice, a layer of tape helps hold the pieces together even more firmly.
Finishing touches
make a pair and play one in each hand for alternating rhythms, or try cups of different sizes — larger cups sound lower, smaller ones higher, forming a little percussion family.
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