Making Music : Create and Play 70 Musical Instruments Using Stuff from Around Your House

Duet for Zipper and Velcro. Sonata for Milk Carton Guitar. Kitchen Concerto. Every home and classroom is crammed with objects kids can use to make music. This book teaches kids, parents, and teachers how to see musical possibilities in everything from a crumpled sheet of paper to thimbles glued to the fingertips of a glove.

Two of the most respected names in arts education for children have teamed up to produce Making Music. With her imaginative projects and whimsical drawings, Ann Sayre Wiseman shows kids how to make rhythm, string, wind, and keyboard instruments from all kinds of household items and natural materials. The projects range from simple castanets made of walnut shells to a complex zither made of wood. John Langstaff, preeminent music educator, teaches children how to make music with their homemade instruments, whether solo, in a duet, in a small ensemble, or with a full classroom orchestra. He starts with rhythm games and moves on to teaching kids about music basics, such as tempo.

Making Music gets kids excited about sounds, shows them how to make their own instruments, and helps them recognize that everything in the world makes its own music.

The late John Langstaff was known internationally for his ability to unlock any child's innate musical ability. He was the founder of the original Christmas Revels in 1971 and devoted his life to promoting music education and enjoyment, especially for children. 

Ann Sayre Wiseman has led arts and crafts workshops around the world for more than 30 years. An artist, teacher, and art therapist, Ann is also the author of a dozen books, including Making Music (with John Langstaff). She lives in Massachusetts.