{"id":754,"date":"2014-03-23T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-03-23T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2014\/03\/garden-music-growing-instruments.html"},"modified":"2023-07-01T13:18:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-01T17:18:54","slug":"garden-music-growing-instruments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/garden-music-growing-instruments\/","title":{"rendered":"Garden Music; Growing Instruments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gardening with kids is a great way to get kids learning <\/a>and making global connections. Yesterday, Nicollete shared with us an art activity that her kids did while gardening<\/a> in Ecuador. Sometimes it is a powerful thing to realize that although we may have a great distance between us, kids and parents do many similar activities across the globe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we have the talented writer and musician, Daria sharing ideas for growing your own musical instrument. My 4 year old and 7 year old adore spending time on her site researching and listening to the variety of instrument recordings available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I strongly encourage you to check it out Daria World Music Website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Grow a Musical Instrument \u2013 Gardening With Gourds!<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sure, a garden has delicious veggies <\/a>and lovely flowers, but did you know that you can also grow a musical instrument? All around the world, people have used dried gourds as the basis for some really amazing musical creations – and so can you! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grow Some Gourds<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gourds are easy-to-grow vines that can fit in almost any garden. If you have limited space, you can plant in a pot and encourage the vine to grow up a trellis, fence or a similar structure. In Africa and South America, some \u201cbushel gourds\u201d are so large they can be used for cooking pots or the water drum that is pictured here. <\/p>\n\n\n

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In the USA, \u201cbirdhouse gourds\u201d and \u201csnake gourds\u201d are a bit easier to grow and will definitely make a fun plant to watch, harvest and dry for crafting purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But just remember, unlike squash and similar vines, these gourds are ornamental, so don\u2019t plan on eating them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gourds as Shekeres<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shekeres are played in Africa and all around the world.  They are a dried gourd with a special netting; called a skirt, of seeds or beads around the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n

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This gourd was made by a master craftswoman from Africa named Sara \u2018Fabunmi<\/strong>, but we\u2019ve created a tutorial where you can make your own simpler versions. Here is a homemade examples of shekere craft gourds (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n

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What does a shekere sound like when it\u2019s played?  You can hear one here<\/a> or purchase step-by-step instructions<\/a> on how to make one from Daria\u2019s TPT store.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Snake Gourds as Guiros<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably already guessed how a snake gourd got its name.  Its long thin snake-like shape makes it perfect for creating a Latin American-style guiro \u2013 an instrument played by rubbing or scratching the ridges with a stick or a rasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To hear a guiro, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recycled \u201cGourd\u201d Instruments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If these musical instruments sound like fun but you don\u2019t want to wait until your gourds are harvested and dried, here are some fun versions of the same instruments using recycled materials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make a sticker shekere<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a guiro from a recycled water bottle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did people discover these gourds could become musical instruments?  They grew them in their garden and let their imagination and creativity take over.  If you decide to plant gourds this year, you can have a lot of fun with them while they grow and chances are good that you will end up with some equally crafty and wonderful creations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About DARIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Music children\u2019s performer DARIA (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has spent the last two decades performing in the USA and around the world, creating music to inspire all the world\u2019s children.  Along with numerous national awards for her culturally diverse music, Daria\u2019s website (www.dariamusic.com<\/a>) was given a Parent\u2019s Choice Award and offers many great resources for teachers, parents and kids of all abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope to inspire you to garden with your child this year!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some articles to get your minds spinning about gardening!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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