In April 2020 I was invited to lead a hands-on workshop for kids by the East-West Center Arts Program where we’d build our own instruments from rubbish. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and sudden shutdown of all public events, we shifted the course to an online format with tutorials and other resources as below. We have also since done further projects with kids, including this 2024 Earth Day workshop & performance:
Tin Can Gong rack
Tin cans + hammer= tuned gong!
Due to the nature of this instrument’s construction, only one resource is provided below.
How to make the gong (video)
Boba Straw Flute
Requires straw, clay, wood burner, and patience.
How to make the flute (video)
How to play the flute (video)
Handout instructions (PDF)
Resources mentioned in the videos:
- Rhythmic Exercises (PDF)
- Cipher Notation handout (PDF)
Kani ka ʻōpala 