Make your own Harmonica
Ages 6 and older
Did you know that music can be a great way to connect art and science? Today’s Harmonicas not only look cool but are a great chance to think about how a Harmonica works. Just like a real, metal harmonica, our harmonica will rely on air being forced to pass around an object which creates a vibration. These vibrations are what make the music. Our simple Harmonica will use a piece of paper and some toothpicks to create vibrations.
Materials:
- 2 popsicle sticks
- 2 rubber bands
- Toothpick
- 1 piece of paper
- scissors
Directions:
- Cut a strip of paper so that it is the same size as a popsicle stick
- Break/cut the toothpick so you have 2 pieces that are as long as the width of a popsicle stick some adult help/supervision may be required
- Place the paper on top of one popsicle stick
- Place one toothpick piece on top of the paper towards one end of the popsicle stick (avoid placing it on the curved part)
- Place the other popsicle stick on top of the toothpick piece and hold all of the layers together by placing a rubber band around the end where the toothpick piece is.
- Take the other toothpick piece and place it under the paper layer at the other end
- Use the rubber band to hold the other end together
- Now make some music!
More fun:
Toothpicks are very thin and narrow! This effects how the paper vibrates and what noise our harmonicas make. Try replacing the toothpick with a piece of straw or even part of another popsicle stick. How does that change the sound?
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