Enchanted by the sound of rain, some people sit by their windows during a rain shower as they think about their current worries and concerns. The sound of rain is thought of as unconventional background music that blends well with people’s heavy thoughts and emotions. Nowadays, musicians have taken advantage of the honest and solemn effect of the sound of rainstorms to create an instrument called the rain stick. You can make one yourself and see how the rain stick can transform a regular song into a dramatic masterpiece.
The rain stick is a musical instrument that is filled with small materials that sound like raindrops when they bang against the inner walls of the rain stick. Usually, the rain stick is made of sturdy bamboo, but in the case of this do-it-yourself project, you might as well use a readily available item like a mailing tube. As for the rain stick’s filling, you can use sand, rice and mung beans to provide the instrument’s rain-like sound.
Materials Used:
wooden mailing tubing – 2 inches
filling materials (rice, sand and mung beans)
masking tape
hammer
box of nails – ½ inch
paint (optional)
paintbrush
Collect the Materials Needed
The first step in any do-it-yourself project is to gather all the necessary tools and materials. Go to a bookstore and purchase wooden mailing tubing with a two-inch width. Once done, grab a roll of masking tape then proceed to a grocery store to get some rice and mung beans. Go to an art store and get paint of various colors to stylize your rain stick. Now, you can go home then get sand from your yard and nails from your toolbox.
The Creation Process
When you have collected all the materials, you can start the creation process of your rain stick. Open one end of the wooden mailing tubing and fill it with rice, sand and mung beans. Get a couple of nails then stick them near each end of the tubing to provide a distinct sound to your musical instrument. Once done, cover the open end of the tubing. Reinforce both covers with masking tape to keep the filling inside the rain stick.
Stylize Your Rain Stick
At this point, your rain stick is finished. You can leave the instrument as it is, but if you want to stylize your rain stick, get your paintbrush and cans of paint. Think of patterns and designs that will go well with your personality and your playing style. When you have finalized the patterns of your rain stick, paint the surface of the instrument accordingly. You can also add a few decorative ornaments, like sequins and glitter if you choose. Once you have finished the design, your rain stick is ready to be seen and heard by your audience.
The rain stick is a simple instrument that often stands in the background. Other instruments often take center stage, but without the rain stick’s distinct yet subtle tone, any song will sound quite ordinary. The rain stick just proves that behind every great musical instrument is a simple instrument that silently highlights symphonies.