Make Music!: A Kid's Guide to Creating Rhythm, Playing with Sound, and Conducting and Composing Music

by Norma Jean Haynes, Ann Sayre Wiseman, John Langstaff

Music is for everyone -- no prior experience required! Make Music! invites kids and families to celebrate the joy of sound with a variety of inventive activities, including playing dandelion trumpets, conducting percussion conversations, and composing their own pieces.

Musician and educator Norma Jean Haynes brings the pioneering work of Ann Sayre Wiseman and John Langstaff to a new generation of kids aged 5 and up, focusing on the playfulness, spontaneity, and creativity of music. Kids explore rhythm with clapping, body drumming, and intonations. They learn to create found sound with kitchen pots and pans, the Sunday paper, or even the Velcro on their sneakers. And step-by-step instructions show how to make 35 different instruments, from chimes and bucket drums to a comb kazoo and a milk carton guitar.

Genres: Music, Education

143 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2019

Reviews

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

This is a wonderful resource for all types of people from children and their parents looking for a fun project and a great analog way in this digital world to spend a few hours doing something fun, to camp/scout leaders and primary/elementary school (music) teachers looking for something hands-on and a bit different from learning to play the recorder and ukulele and to discover music and rhythm in a very experimental way.

The instructions for the construction of the instruments is very clear and the suggestions on what to do with them, once made are also clear and have lots of variety.

I would recommend this book, but not as an ebook. It doesn't work at all, or they will have to alter the formatting in a major way.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people think that music is something that requires talent, practice, and expensive instruments. While it is true that professional musicians usually need these things, this book points out that music is part of the human experience and you can create it from just about anything, including your own body. This is a joyous romp that features instruments you can make yourself, and ways to use common household objects to create music. Families will enjoy this, and music teachers should take note. Mind you, a few of the instruments would require an adult's assistance, and no safety note are included, but who cares? Music is for everyone, and it doesn't have to be expensive.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book, for free, in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a good catalyst for creating music projects with your child.
It shows you how to use your body and musical instruments you create to make music.
Some of the projects seemed less than amazingly interesting, but all in all this is a good book for giving you musical ideas.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy little book that that helped me create a science program about music/acoustics for kids. Haynes provides ideas for experiments and simple ways to make your own instruments at home. Some of them are a bit more advanced (you'd need a parent for sure), but most of them are very easy and fun.

[Andréa]

Note: I received an arc of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.

[Yycdaisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful book for teachers, parents, kids. Good section with instructions on how to make homemade instruments.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working as a Children's Librarian, I have found that school aged children are using the library more and more often for music education. This book is full of useful information, fun photos, and creative learning activities. I highly recommend this book for music/drama teachers or librarians who want to start running musical programs.

[RedRobinXXX · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for Haynes, Wiseman and Langstaff, Storey Publishing, and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review

Liked the section on using your body to make music because sometimes at clubs we don’t have instruments to hand etc and these ideas are fantastic – who knew there were so many different claps?
There were also countless examples of instruments you can make yourself.
I can’t wait to use some of these ideas with the kids I come into contact with.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make Music: A Kid's Guide to Creating Rhythm, Playing with Sound, and Conducting and Composing Music is a fresh edition of this book for a younger audience by Norma Jean Haynes; Ann Sayre Wiseman; and John Langstaff. It is currently scheduled for release on April 30 2019. Music is for everyone — no experience required. This book invites kids and families to celebrate the joy of sound with a variety of inventive activities, including playing dandelion trumpets, conducting percussion conversations, and composing their own pieces. Kids explore rhythm with clapping, body drumming, and intonations. They learn to create found sound with kitchen pots and pans, the Sunday paper, or even the Velcro on their sneakers. And step-by-step instructions show how to make 35 different instruments, from chimes and bucket drums to a comb kazoo and a milk-carton guitar.

Make Music is an engaging and informative read that offers information on a wide range of sounds, music, and how to create instruments and music of your own with things that are generally readily available. I like that cultural and historical references are included with the discussion of different sounds and music. I think those connections can help young readers and musicians feel more engaged. I think the message that making and enjoying music is for everyone no matter the skill level or style. I think finding a creative outlet, or enjoying the talents of others, is important. Parents, teachers, and caregivers of all kinds can share this book with the young people in their lives to help foster an appreciation for all kinds of music, and to create instruments and sounds together. I think this would be a great addition to a school, classroom, or home library because one can always return to the activities and projects and repeat them- or use them to inspire new ideas. Some of the concepts, like music notation, that are near the end of the book are particularly good for revisiting after some experimentation and practice.

Make Music is a delightful book for encouraging an existing interest in sound and music, or to help foster in interest. The activities and information offered is varied and should be engaging for a wide range of readers.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be a welcome resource for elementary school teachers, camp counselors, scout troops: you name it, really anywhere that kids with imagination congregate. Some music concepts are taught but, more importantly, kids are encouraged to use their resources, be creative and make music. There are so many ways to do this; to name a few-fill water glasses with differing amounts of water and tap on them, hum, sing, make instruments from what you find in the kitchen, conduct, sing in harmony...the ideas are plentiful.

I enjoyed this look at how to help children to develop a love of music. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great resource for any primary classroom or adult who is involved in teaching music with young children.
Full of creative ideas and theory explaining how each creation works there are links with science as well as the basic theory of music.
With each activity accompanied by instructions and photographs many of these ideas would be simple to implement in the classroom.

I would not hesitate to use most of these ideas in a classroom to ensure that children are engaged in an exciting and inspiring music curriculum.