CaringCalm.org

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • All Topics
    • Adoption
    • Advocacy
    • Assistive Technology
    • Behavior
    • Braille and Literacy
    • Communication
    • Conferences and Fundraising
    • Eye Conditions and Syndromes
    • Feeding and Eating
    • Fine and Gross Motor
    • Giveaways
    • Growth and Development
    • Helpful Organizations
    • Holiday Crafts and Ideas
    • IEPs and Education
    • iPad Apps and Accessibility
    • Light Play
    • Math and Science
    • Medicine
    • Music Play
    • Orientation and Mobility
    • Parenting
    • Research Studies
    • Schools for the Blind
    • Sensory Activities
    • Sleep Solutions
    • Support
    • Tactile Art
    • Toys and Recreation

Make Your Own Sistrum, an Egyptian Rattle

A Sistrum
 

By Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou

A sistrum is a special kind of rattle that dates back to ancient Egypt.

It’s a hand-held percussion instrument that was generally played by priestesses or the court musicians who entertained pharaohs and nobility.

In fact, if you look closely at hieroglyphics or books about Egyptian culture, you can see examples of this instrument in some of it’s various shapes and sizes.

How can you make your own version? It’s easy. First you need a few basic supplies:

 

Supplies/Tools

  • One wire coat hanger
  • Electrical tape
  • Two (unsharpened) pencils or small dowels
  • Assorted buttons, jingle bells or metal washers
  • A small amount of floral wire, jewelry wire, fishing twine or embroidery thread
  • A wire-cutter

 

Putting it All Together

First, straighten out the curved end of the coat hanger. This will form the handle to your sistrum. To make a strong handle that is easier to hold, place two unsharpened pencils or wooden dowels next to the wire and slowly wrap it with electrical tape. Start at the bottom and wrap to the top. At the end, wind the electrical tape around the base of the sistrum to secure the handle in place.

Then, use your wire cutters to cut the long side of your coat hanger in half: exactly in the middle; directly above the handle. Slowly and carefully bend each side down into the shape of your final instrument – somewhat like the letter “Y”.

Use your electrical tape to fasten the two sides together on each side, leaving a space for two or three rows of bangles. Different colors of this type of tape can make the project even more decorative!

Finally, thread different kinds of buttons, jingle bells or metal washers onto a small piece of floral wire or jewelry wire. You can also use fishing twine or embroidery thread, but wire is better at keeping the bangles in place. Tie or secure the wire in place on each side and try out your instrument. It should make a pleasing sound when “swooshed” from one side to another.

Enjoy!

 

Award-winning children’s performer, Daria (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has five CD’s that have won national honors. She has the most awesome job of traveling the world to sing for kids and peace. Her website, located at dariamusic.com, was given a 2009 Parents Choice Award for its musical and cultural content.

 

Feb 8, 2012Guest Post
What are your thoughts?

Baby Look Tickle App ReviewMake Your Own Gong!
You Might Also Like
Skwitch: A new way to make music
Using Music to Connect the Generations
Guest Post

This post was written by one of our guest contributors. Please contact us if you would like to tell your story or share a resource with the WonderBaby.org community!

7 years ago Music Play
842
Find us on…

Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram

Adapted tablets and phone for blind and visually impaired
How to organize your IEP paperwork
Most Popular Posts
Ivan with his touch book

Make Your Own Touch Book!

9665
Ivan playing on his iPad

5 Ways to Get a Free iPad for Your Special Needs Child!

7910
A stubborn toddler doing potty training

How to Potty Train a Stubborn Toddler

7888
sleeping Ivan

Help! My Baby Won’t Sleep!

6712
braille blocks, puzzles and buttons

25 Braille Toys for Kids Who are Blind

6003

About
WonderBaby.org

WonderBaby.org is dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities. Learn more.

Keep in Touch

Contacting WonderBaby.org is easy! Just send a message to the email below or reach out through social media. Hope to hear from you soon!

Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram

Email: help@wonderbaby.org

Learn More

Learn more about our family, our website and how you can become part of the WonderBaby.org team!

  • Our Story
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • WonderBaby.org Printable Flyer
  • Advertise with Us
  • Accessibility Options
Translations

At WonderBaby.org we are here to support parents and caregivers of young children who are blind all over the world!

  • Arabic Resources: مصادر عربية
  • Spanish Resources: Recursos en Español
  • Dutch Resources: Informatie in het Nederlands

Learn more about our translations.

© 2006-2019 WonderBaby.org • PO Box 682 Watertown MA 02471 USA