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Musical Straws

Follow the step-by-step instructions to make a 'tooting' musical straw.

  1. Your musical straw should look like this.Cut a plastic straw in half. Flatten one end of the shortened straw between your fingers.  Cut the end to a point, just like the picture.
  2. Press the pointed end of the straw down flat between your lips and blow.  Did you get a toot? It may take a little practice.
  3. Cut a small amount off the end of the straw and blow another note. Is it higher or lower than the first note?

Cool Facts

Sound is made when things vibrate. When you blow into the straw, the pointed flaps of plastic vibrate. These vibrations make the air inside the straw vibrate to make the sound you hear.

Did you know?

  • The ear never stops working, even when you are asleep. The ear continues to hear sounds but the brain shuts them out.
  • There is no sound in space. Sound needs something to travel through, like air or water.