How to Make a Simple Sound Pipe from a Plastic Straw

originated by:TOHGIN minako, Teresa, Flickety, Eric (see all)

It’s easy to make a simple pipe using slip of a plastic straw. But playing it's a little trickier because it has a double reed. As long as you don't mind just a little practice to perfect the sound, it's an easy project to make and enjoy.

edit Steps

1
Flatten the end of a straw.
- At this flattened end, measure to a length of 10mm (0.39"). This will be the cutting length.
2
Cut the straw to remove the two slanted ends (or triangle shapes).
3

Place the cut end of the straw in your mouth. As shown by the diagram, hold the straw in place, covering your teeth with your lips.
- Blow forcefully. Keep practicing until you make a sound.
4

Experiment with different sounds. In order to change the sound of this simple straw pipe, vary the lengths of the straw pipes.
- The high or low tones will change depending on the length of the straw pipe.
- Bird beak cut
  
  The shorter the pipe, the higher the tone. The bird beak cut shown in this image is short, so the resulting sound will be high in tone.
- Vary your breathing to change the tones as well. The strength of your breath will cause the sounds to change.

edit Tips

Since straw material is light, it vibrates well, producing sound easily.
Cut some small holes on top of the straw at various points. Cover these holes with your fingers to change the pitch of your straw.
Sample sound: http://www.twitvid.com/CFZTH

edit Warnings

Please be careful; don't poke a long straw down your throat!
Don't run while playing a straw pipe in case it becomes lodged in your throat.
The noise can be irritating to others; play it where people won't mind the sound.

edit Things You'll Need

Plastic straw
Ruler for measuring
Pair of scissors

edit Related wikiHows

Articles for You to Write

Here is a list of suggested articles that have not yet been written. You can help by researching and writing one of these articles. To get started writing one of these articles, click on the red link of a title below.

DonsDeals Blog

Don's Pages and my Music

Sunday, October 17, 2010

How to Make a Simple Sound Pipe from a Plastic Straw: 4 steps (with pictures) - wikiHow