Schedule

Bash The Trash

Illustration by Daniel Greenfeld of objects you could use to make musical instruments

This Make Music Day, join Bash the Trash Environmental Arts in raising awareness about trash pollution by building fun instruments from found objects!

The performers and educators of Bash the Trash are offering their innovative designs for wind, percussion and string instruments for an exciting new approach to building instruments from everyday refuse. These amazing instruments tackle issues of waste and offer us an opportunity to look at “trash” in a new way.

And thanks to D’Addario’s Playback String Recycling program, free used guitar strings will be sent to you upon request to use for the Diddley Bow – just tell us where to send them.

Once you’ve built your instruments, play “Ode to Joy” or “Baby Shark” and post it with the hashtags #BashTheTrash #MakeMusicHomeMade and #LessTrashMoreMusic to join in the celebration.

Then on June 21st, join a video call to get tips from expert Bash The Trash instrument builders, share your creations, and play them with others on Make Music Day! More details coming soon.

Bash the Trash instruments for Make Music Day

 

Rubber Band Box Guitar – YOU WILL NEED: a cardboard or styrofoam box, 3-5 rubber bands, and a paper towel roll (optional). Full instructions here.

4-in-1 Can – YOU WILL NEED: an aluminum can, a bit of shaky stuff, a piece of thick coated paper (like junk mail), and duct tape. Full instructions here.

Tube Trumpet – YOU WILL NEED: a paper towel roll, a water bottle, a file folder (optional) and duct tape. Full instructions here.

Balloon Drums – YOU WILL NEED: a stiff cardboard tube (or aluminum can, glass jar, or toilet paper roll), a balloon, and duct tape. Full instructions here.

Diddley Bow – YOU WILL NEED: a small plank of wood, an old guitar string, two nails and a glass jar. Full instructions here. Free used guitar strings from D’Addario will be sent to you upon request: click here.

Packing Tape Drums – YOU WILL NEED: a stiff cardboard tube (or aluminum can or glass jar), and clear packing tape. Full instructions here.

Tube-tar – YOU WILL NEED: a sturdy cardboard tube (fabric size), fishing line, a tuna can, and a small block of wood. Full instructions here.