Homemade balloon bassoon - Child's Play Music
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- childsplaymusic... & / childsplaymusicperth . How to make a very simple one-note wind instrument called a balloon bassoon. It's made from 40mm PVC reticulation pipe and uses a balloon as a reed. It sounds a bit like the world's cheapest saxophone and can be played by children as young as three (three year olds will need to have the instrument held for them, and it can take a while for young children to learn the correct holding technique). Total cost is around A$4.00, much less if you use cardboard tube (see below for instructions on using cardboard tube).
This instrument was invented by but I've greatly simplified the design and made it more playable by very young children. It is incredibly easy to play - so long as you hold it correctly all you have to do is blow.
The version in the video is 740mm long and plays one note: G an octave and a half below middle C. You can make it any length from about 150mm to 1500mm, with shorter lengths giving a higher note. The pitch is very approximate since the pitch can change depending on how you hold the instrument, how hard you stretch the balloon, and how hard you blow. 300mm gives you G an octave higher, and 410mm gives the D in between; shorter instruments are even less pitch-stable than the longer one, and you can bend the note up to about 3 semitones or even more.
The balloons don't last long, maybe a couple of hours of playing, but it only takes moments to put on a new balloon and balloons are cheap.
Kids love this instrument - it's so easy to play and it's quite loud. They really don't care that it only produces one note, it's all about the experience of playing it, not the music that they produce.
You can definitely make this instrument as an activity with kids - children under six will need help, but so long as you provide some support (and some safety guidance with the tools) there is no reason that a six year old can't make it themselves, and that includes cutting the pipe with a saw.
Every six year old should learn how to use a handsaw - it's quite within their capabilities and with a little practice they will be cutting pipe safely and easily. Yes, I've done this with 6 year olds - yes, they can do it. It's up to you to supervise them and train them, of course - I'm not going to take responsibility for your training and supervision, or for any injury your child might receive!
If you want you can use strong cardboard tube instead of PVC pipe. The best tube is that which dress material comes on, or fax paper tube or mailing tube. Don't use something flimsy like Glad-Wrap or paper towel tube, it will just crush in your hands. Minimum wall thickness is around 2mm and any diameter between 30 and 50mm.
If you like this video, make sure you check out my Facebook Page at / childsplaymusicperth . Feel free to hit that Like Button!
Alec Duncan (B. Soc. Sci. Children Studies
Perth, Western Australia.
I made one of these "balloon reeds" and attached it to my flute. Did clarinet for flutists!
I've not made them in those pitches, but for a C would be a bit longer than the D, so at a guess around 450mm. and E would be a bit shorter, so again, guessing, around 380mm. Easiest way is to experiment - make it a bit longer than you think it needs to be. Check the pitch against a tuner or instrument - if it's flat cut a little bit more off and check again. The pitch is so variable anyway - it's best to think of this as a toy that plays a musical note, rather than a "real" instrument.
can you make holes so you san play different notes
please respwnd
You can't make small holes that you can cover with a finger (like a recorder or a penny whistle) because the pipe is such large diameter, so you can't really make it play a scale. It's possible to make large tone holes that you cover with your whole hand so that you can get one or two extra notes out of it.
Can you drill holes for hands so it makes it more than 1 note?
Wow why dint he ever thought of that, lol
that would involve months of calculations
Make a hole (not too big) and if the pitch is too low, make the hole bigger
For that tube length, the holes should be quite distant from eachother, so key(lever)s could be needed 😅. Depending on the diameter of the tube, the holes are quite large as well. Have a look at my bass flute. (Or on google).
sounds more like a bass clarinet.
Yes, I thought the same.
Probably. Try it and see. You can even make a tiny version using half inch pipe and one of those little water balloons - that works!
Can't you drill holes in it to make it like a recorder, and I know it would be hard to tune.
What could you use for the mouthpiece if you don't have a garden hose
Idk
hi, this is urgent. can i make the pvc pipe longer?
yes
Hahaha...it's ok. I asked 2 years ago!
*laughing emoji*
please tell me where to fing aluminium plates to make a gong please??????
can this instrument make more than 1 sound?
Wat length for the pvc tube?
Sure. With an ordinary balloon you could probably go to 50mm or even a little more. Or if you use a giant party balloon (say, 18 inch size when inflated) you can use pipe up to around 100mm in diameter - they work great and are amazingly loud. And with that set up try making one about 1.5 metres long and it sounds like a didgeridoo on steroids :) They take a lot of blowing - not really suitable for little kids but great for older kids and adults.
where can i buy the same pipe?
if you were to put key holes would it still play
I found my 3mm aluminium plate in a scrap yard, but you can buy it new from any metal supplier - lots cheaper at a scrap yard, of course :) Or try a recycling depot or begging for off-cuts from a metal working shop.
Hey! I want to make this but my mom doesnt know where to find a hose that skinny! Where could we get one or is there something else we could use?
Use a straw man
Thanks man!
how long does it have to be, to make it a C and E note?
Just. Add. Holes. To. The. Pipe.