Oddball Rhythm Fun

Sounds are everywhere. Most have a beat of their own, but with modern technology, almost anything can be turned into a percussion instrument. Here are a few more off-the-wall ideas you might not have included into your rhythm arsenal

METAL THINGS ARE FUN

Sure, many kids beat on pots, pans and trashcans and their accompanying lids, but metal just makes a nice sound, period. Some people have found that breath mint/cough drop tins make great shakers-try adding different "fillers" like lentils, rice, BBs, coins, thumbtacks and other materials to get different sounds, and you can even change the "note" it sounds by the amount you fill it. Some folks do this same filling thing, then tap on the tins with drum or other sticks. Tin cans of different sizes, with holes drilled in a side near the top so they can be filled with noisemakers or the bottom so they hang like bells, and hang these from a rod and you have a very primitive sort of chime. Some folks like the sound of money, coins that is, so they do samples of coins being poured-different sizes can make different tones, so have fun playing with your change jar stuff and record each group. For that matter, many people like the sound of money clanging in a glass jar or even being dropped into a piggy bank, so you might try sampling those sounds, too. Metal pipes of different sizes also have different tones, and some people like using these to beat on other metal items or even a concrete block to get a very loud metallic sound, and you can even get these working so that they create different notes by experimentation and using your tuner after you shave off bits until you get ones with certain notes. Just pounding a hammer on concrete also is a very loud ringing sound, and useful as a sound effect-you might try hitting different sizes of objects or even just nails and take samples of these, too. I'm sure you can think of others-get those wheels turning.

SLOP IS FUN

Some of the most comforting sounds can be those of food or messes being made. The sound of eggs being beaten, a pot being stirred, a horse trotting through mud, galoshes splashing in a puddle and a bucket being emptied all have a very sloshy sound. Sample these and they can make a really fun dance beat when combined with some other things. Sure, raindrops are pretty used, but mud pot sounds like you would hear in a place like Yellowstone can be pretty fun sounding too-you could probably imitate these by sampling some oatmeal being cooked when it gets to the point where it gets those huge bubbles popping up out of it and steam being released when it does so. Next time you do some closet cleaning, especially if some boxes take a tumble, try recording it like it's a jam session, and you'll hear all sorts of fun beats, sand block sorts of sounds, little random rumbles, and perhaps a few naughty words from you or helpers thrown in.

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