Making Music with Pots and Pans!
Mar 02, 2022Deep questions for your consideration:
- Is banging on a pot considered music-making?
- Should I be happy about the ruckus that my child is making with those pans and utensils?
- Where do you draw the line between “noise” and “music”?
As with most deep questions, there is no clear answer, but we are happy to share a fun “pots and pans” mini music class with you today that may lead you toward your own conclusions! Grab a variety of pots, pans, and utensils, and get ready to make some music...er...noise?! (You decide!)
Exploring sounds with pots, pans, and utensils is great for building listening skills and creativity. It’s fun to let your child lead the way here, but if you feel they need some guidance, try some of these prompts:
- How do sounds change when you strike different parts of the pan (inside, outside, handle, etc)?
- How do sounds change when you play the same pan with 2 different types of utensils (one wooden spoon, one metal spoon, for example)?
- Compare the sounds 2 different pans make (a skillet versus a bread pan, perhaps).
In the video, you’ll see Elizabeth and Charlotte doing some of this type of exploration, and then you’ll watch as Elizabeth brings in some more structure, teaching concepts such as steady beat, forte and piano, high and low, adagio and presto.
You’ll also enjoy listening to the “Elephant” from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saéns, and have fun taking your “Little Turtle” for a swim in the “bathtub” too.
We hope this video gives you some inspiration for more at-home music making, and possibly inspires your little one to listen carefully and bang beautifully!
(ps. If you’re not a huge fan of the sounds of pots and pans...consider checking out our handmade instrument set!)
Check out Episode 8 of our podcast for a Pots and Pans Percussion episode that is similar to this video. Subscribe so you don't miss a weekly episode, and consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts to help spread the word!
