Eden Project

How to make music with a blade of grass

As part of our Festival of Play season, we’re offering loads of ideas for games and activities on the themes of outdoor play and circus fun to keep your kids occupied this summer.

Create weird sounds using just a blade of grass stretched between your thumbs. It makes a high-pitched squealing noise that will surprise your mates.

Instructions

1. Select a wide, flat blade of grass. Steer clear of thick leaves; the finer the grass, the better.

2. Hold one end of the blade of grass between the tips of your thumb and forefinger of your left hand (if you are right-handed).

Stretch it taut across on to the base of your left thumb (that big fleshy pad of your hand) using your right hand. Secure it there momentarily with the fingers of your left hand.

3. Now trap the bottom of the grass blade between the bases of both thumbs and the top of it between the tip of each thumb. Pull the blade of grass tight – but not so tight that it snaps.

4. Purse your lips slightly like you’re going to whistle, put them right up against your thumbs and blow so that the air goes between your thumbs and over the blade of grass.

It should make a high-pitched whistle sound. If it doesn’t make any noise, adjust the grass to make sure it’s nice and taut.

5. Now go and surprise your mates…

Comments:

No comments

Category:

• Festival of Play

Tags:

Music, plants, Play