Big outdoor musical instruments are a lot of fun. It’s possible to buy or make tunes and untuned percussion instruments. If you are buying an instrument, ask to hear a recording of the sound it makes when played. Do not purchase instruments that have an irritating sound, unless there is a distant corner of the playground where they can be tucked away.

Consider where to site the instruments. Near a performance space often works well because the music can enhance any outdoor performances. Some instruments work better under a canopy or in a sheltered space, depending on the acoustics. Also think about their use all year round. Materials expand and contract depending on the temperature and/or water that seeps into the wood or joints. This can affect the tone and sound produced.

Remember that additional instruments can be brought outside so that a whole class or large group can work together. Consider the best location too. Sometimes right outside a classroom can be quite disruptive for a class working inside, but very handy for a music room to have an outdoor extension.

In the photo below, the glockenspiel in the background can be played as a duet! The four fixed drums also allow for cooperative play, but they are also solid and strong enough for little children to climb on and use as open-ended structures in different types of play.

Ensure there is space for a homemade music or sound wall near by. Washing lines for hanging up items to tap or a tree from where objects can dangle are helpful too. Have a look at the music wall video on the Filth Wizardry blog. It’s been made from unwanted items. Teacher Tom has also designed a very practical sound structure for similar purposes. A really helpful blog post comes from Amy at Child Central Station which has a step-by-step guide to the homemade instruments in her back garden which teachers or parents will find interesting. Several nurseries I know have been donated an old piano that really is no longer fit for use. Whilst it will degrade over time, it enables children to freely play the piano without the impact the noise would have inside.

There are many sculptors and artists who can make bespoke musical instruments at a similar price to playground equipment suppliers. Designing and inventing musical instruments makes for an interesting interdisciplinary design project.

Around the world, music can be heard. Indoors or out, we have a natural affinity for sound and rhythm. Yet, the amount of outdoor music that happens in our schools is small, if not non-existent beyond the pre-school age. Thus I was particularly interested and delighted about what happened at Echt School in Aberdeenshire back in 2010. Former Head Teacher, Ruth MacDonald explains…

“My brother, Stephen, is a self taught wood carver, living in Ross-shire. He has been working recently with a garden designer who was approached by a Nursery school in Highland to design the Nursery garden. They wanted a music corner and asked Stephen if he could come up with something. I said he had to make some instruments for Echt next!

The chimes are made from copper piping and the glock is made from aluminium pipe. The drums – quite loud!! – are drainage pipes. They appear to have withstood the recent snow and frost.

The most recent glock he has made comprises of 2 pentatonic scales. He can tune the aluminium pipes however people want them. I have 2 octaves going from low to high. He also provided us with 12 rubber ended beaters. Each instrument has little wooden hooks to hang the beaters from but we take our inside at the end of lunchtime each day. The children absolutely love them and so do the staff!”

I think this shows the potential of everyday items to become objects of beauty, versatility and desire. Also it is quite possible that bespoke instruments can be made for a comparable price to manufactured ones.

I’d be interested to know your thoughts and ideas about music outdoors and what works for you.

This blog post was originally published in January 2011. Back in 2020, I wrote Bish! Bosh! Bang! Experiencing Music Outdoors. Please click on the link to download. It’s free and contains 50 ideas.