The Thrifty Therapist: Music Therapy Instruments for Little to No Money

I have to admit that I now have enough money to purchase many of my music therapy instruments, but there were times when I was unable to spend money on the luxuries of things like shaker eggs or tambourines. In those cases, I learned how to make many of the instruments that I wanted to use with my clients. 

Making instruments takes time, and time is valuable, so keep that in mind when you are making budget decisions.

So, how did I make instruments? I looked through every single Bible School curriculum that I had access to. I searched through kids' books about crafts and making things. I used the internet to find resources. I scrounged through my recycling to find materials. I bought lots of glue and mod podge and tissue paper and duct tape. I would make things and then bring them into my clinical environment to test them. (My clients are WONDERFUL at breaking things, so they are the ultimate test for all my instruments!) Then, I would take the pieces back and figure out what to do next.

So, here are some of the things that I have made over the years.

Metal bowl drum/bells - metal mixing bowls make great ringing sounds. I love them and provide mallets to use to minimize dents and dings. Look for inexpensive ones at thrift stores or discount stores.

Mallets - I learned how to make my own.

Shaker eggs - do NOT put super glue on plastic eggs before you snap them shut - listen to me since I had to go to the emergency room because I snapped some super glue into my eye! I buy my plastic eggs during the 50% off Easter sales. There are many different types of eggs, so I get them in bulk. If you put beads into the eggs, then you can wash them without fear that whatever you have inside will sprout or rot. Different sized beads make different sounds. I use mine for both shakers and for some audio discriminations tasks - match the eggs based on the sounds that you hear.

Refrigerator Metallophone - This was fun. I bought a coil of metal tubing, a tube cutter, and got some measurements from the internet on specific lengths for specific sounds. I have never figured out a good way to put this together, but the sound is pretty cool considering it was just metal tubing to start with!

Drums - so many ways to make drums. Coffee containers, boxes, plastic tubs, bowls, pots, pans. When I make drums, I try to use materials that allow for rough handling and lots of strength. If I care too much about the instrument, then it doesn't go to work with me. I just use it at home for myself.

I've also made envelope shakers, party hat shakers, tin pan tambourines, adaptive cuffs, and many more things in my years as a music therapist. I enjoy making instruments and sharing them with others. In addition, it has been a good way to save some money.

What instruments have you made?

The other tip that I have for getting instruments without spending money is asking for them for gifts. For years, my father would go to the local music store and ask them for the strangest instrument that they had in stock. I got so many weird, wonderful instruments at Christmas as my gifts! There were times when I didn't even recognize them as instruments!! It was great, and these instruments did not cost me anything! My dad was thrilled to have an idea of something that I would use in my work, and the music store was happy to unload strange instruments. (Believe it or not, at one time Boomwhackers were considered strange!!) So, when people ask you about gifts, remember instruments and ask!