Straw Reed Instrument

By cutting one end of a straw into a point and blowing through it, the ends vibrate like a reed in a woodwind instrument. The vibrating air column inside the straw produces sound, and changing the straw’s length changes the pitch.

1. Take a thin plastic straw.
2. Flatten one end and cut it into a pointed tip, like an arrowhead. This forms the vibrating reed.
3. Place the pointed end in your mouth and blow. Adjust position until the straw vibrates and produces sound.
4. Shorten the straw by cutting pieces off the end while blowing. Notice the pitch gets higher as the straw gets shorter.
5. (Optional) Slide the cut straw into a larger bendy straw to create a trombone-like effect where pitch changes smoothly by sliding.

How to Make a Music Instrument Using Only a Straw - Science World:

How to DIY Straw Reed Instrument - Baker STEM Lab:

📄 Make a straw flute - Fizzics Education: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/150-science-experiments/light-sound-experiments/make-a-straw-flute/?srsltid=AfmBOorr0Sp7gGf7zOU0cYlcqZwNbfL1rPAgUEoKNWsh1n6yi8-0tnsP

• Try using straws of different diameters to compare sound quality.
• Test whether paper straws also work.
• Join two straws together to create a longer instrument with a deeper pitch.
• Experiment with blowing harder or softer to change tone.

• Use scissors carefully when cutting straws.
• Do not share straws between students without cleaning.
• Supervise young children to prevent swallowing small pieces.

• Why does shortening the straw raise the pitch? (It shortens the standing wave inside, increasing frequency.)
• What do the pointed ends of the straw represent in a real instrument? (They act as a vibrating reed, like in a clarinet or saxophone.)
• How does the diameter of the straw affect the sound? (Wider straws produce a lower pitch and sometimes a buzzier sound.)
• What happens if you blow too hard? (The reed may jam shut, stopping vibration, or the pitch may squeak.)