The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. I wonder if we are making enough use of this heaven-sent

resource in our meetings, in our classes, and in our homes. . .Our hymns contain matchless doctrinal sermons, surpassed only by the scriptures in their truth and

poetic impact. Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1994

Uplifting music can be brought into our homes in numerous ways through games, lessons, instruments, sing-a-longs, etc. These ideas can be used to help:

Provide family entertainment Strengthen family relationships Develop appreciation for beautiful, wholesome music Learn gospel doctrine from the lyrics Build Testimonies

These things all work together to build testimonies. Testimonies of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the prophets, the Scriptures, the Plan of Salvation and many other important Gospel topics can be obtained through teaching Hymns and Primary songs to your family. The lyrics to these wonderful songs will be remembered throughout their lives and will be a source of guidance and comfort especially in difficult times.

“If we listen, (the hymns) are teaching the gospel. . .the hymns of Restoration are, in fact, a course in doctrine.”

Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1991

“Singing our beautiful, worshipful hymns is food for our souls. We become of one heart and one mind when we sing praises to the Lord.”

James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1992

The following pages contain online music resources, music game suggestions and instructions for simple-to-make instruments. The whole family will enjoy making, decorating and playing these clever musical instruments which cost almost nothing to construct and can be used in Family Home Evenings, reunions and campouts or whenever.

“Testimony Through Tunes”

Online MUSIC RESOURCES:

(Free LDS sheet music &/or MP3 downloads (choral, vocal & instrumental) of many Hymns

www.lds.org www.defordmusic.com www.betsyleebaileymusic.com www.chapelmusiconline.com www.ldssacredsongs.com www.kerbymusic.org www.petriefamily.org www.hoffmanhouse.com www.musicbyandrew.ca www.tetonmusic.com www.aaronwaite.com www.lisapowellmusic.com www.freeldssheetmusic.org/ *The above web sites are only a few of the resources available on the internet. While this music is appropriate for the home, it should always be approved for church use. LDS Music from the Hymns, Primary Songs, Ensign & New Era can be found

on these websites: http://lds.about.com/library/clipart/blnewera_music.htm http://lds.about.com/library/clipart/blnewara_music_1975.htm http://lds.about.com/library/clipart/blensign_music.htm https://www.lds.org/callings/primary/leader-resources/music?lang=eng https://www.lds.org/youth/music?lang=eng#d https://www.lds.org/music/text/hymns?lang=eng

Game Ideas: Name that Tune, Song Pictionary, Charades, Crossword Puzzle, Scrambled Letters, Word Search, Antonyms, Pin the Tail on the. . . (Season, Holiday, etc.), variations on board games and Musical Chairs are just a few ideas. Our family enjoys playing a game where one person starts singing a song. Everyone joins in until someone hears a word that is in another song. He or she starts singing the new song, and all join in until someone else hears a word from another song, etc. It’s fun to see how long the family can keep it up.

Have fun inventing your own games with your family!

Almost anything can be made into a musical instrument:

Using musical instruments is a very enjoyable way to teach your children songs. It is not necessary to spend money on expensive instruments and lessons. Homemade musical instruments are inexpensive to make and can help your children learn to love and play music. This will be a fun bonding experience for each member of your family as well as a time to learn the doctrines of the gospel that are contained in the lyrics of each song.

CHINESE GONG

Level: Primary and up Grades: K and up| Age: 5 and up | Written by: Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou

[Daria is an award-winning children's performer with five CDs that have won national honors. www.dariamusic.com]

Summary:

A gong is an East and South East Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet. Find out how to make one using simple, household materials.

Need: A metal (disposable) roasting pan (the larger, the better) Pipe cleaners or yarn

Cardboard tube from wrapper paper Paint, stickers, glitter, glue or textured paint- for decorating the gong.

For the beater: 12”-18” wooden dowel Electrical tape What You Do: Start by getting an adult help you poke two holes in the top area of the metal roasting pan – about 2 – 3 inches apart.

1. Slip a pipe cleaner through each hole and then twist the ends together to form a circle.

2. Now you can insert the wrapping paper tube (or a broomstick or large stick) into the pipe cleaner circle and the gong will hang down.

3. To give your gong a nice sturdy stand, you can use several more pipe cleaners to fasten the wrapping paper tube to two chairs that are placed a few feet apart facing outward.

4. Now that you see how your gong will hang on its stand, you may wish to take it down and decorate it. Add stickers, paint, or glitter and glue. Perhaps you can look up the year you were born in terms of Chinese astrology and put that symbol on your gong. Maybe you were born in the year of the rat or the pig or the ram or the fish. It’s great fun to find out.

5. Lastly, you'll need a beater to strike the gong. Take a 12" or 18" wooden dowel and wrap one side with electrical tape to form a head. That’s the side that will strike the gong to create its unique and wonderful sound. If you don't have a wooden dowel, you can substitute a wooden spoon, a chopstick or an unsharpened pencil, just wrap the head the same way on the end that will strike the gong.

6. Have fun!

DIDGERIDOO

www.kinderart.com

Summary:

A didgeridoo is a long wooden trumpet-like instrument used by the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. A real didgeridoo is made of a hollow wooden branch with a beeswax mouthpiece. You and your students can make your very own didgeridoo using offcuts of PVC (plumbing) pipe or wrapping paper tubes.

Need:

• A length of PVC pipe (like the plumbers use). You can also use two cardboard wrapping paper tubes taped together. The length should be manageable. For adults, a didgeridoo is about 5 feet long. For children, 3 or 4 feet is great (depending on the height of the child).

• Paint or markers (if you use PVC pipe, you will need to use acrylic paint). • Paintbrushes and water. • Glue (white glue or hot glue). • String, leather, feathers, beads and any other found objects you have lying about. • Pictures of didgeridoos are a good idea. Look for books in your library or refer to the

resources at the end of this lesson plan.

What You Do:

1. If you are using a PVC pipe, be sure to sand both ends of the pipe down so there are no rough edges.

2. Once you have a length of pipe or cardboard tubing, you are ready to decorate. Using paint or markers, decorate the didgeridoo using bright exciting colors.

3. You can glue all sorts of objects to your didgeridoo as long as you can still comfortably move it around.

4. Optional: If you wish, you can make a mouthpiece for your didgeridoo using beeswax. The way this is done is by dipping one end of your pipe or cardboard tube into melted wax, again and again until you build up an almost solid mass of wax with a small opening.

5. You can create a mouthpiece for your didgeridoo by rolling a piece of poster paper into a cone and gluing it to the end of your pipe or tube.

6. To play your didgeridoo, stand or sit with the instrument straight out in front of you, with one end resting on the ground. Place your mouth inside the tube (or on the beeswax mouthpiece) and make a loose motorboat sound with your lips.

Popsicle Stick Harmonica http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

Need:

2 Popsicle Sticks ~ We used the wide ones

2 Rubber Bands ~ You could also use string

A double layer of cellophane or tissue paper the same size as the Popsicle Stick

2 toothpicks cut the width or just wider than the Popsicle Stick

1. Sandwich the paper strip in between the 2 Popsicle Sticks 2. Wrap a rubber band around one end until it is snug. 3. Slide a toothpick to the inside of the rubber band. 4. Sandwich the last toothpick at the other end of the Popsicle sticks, and wrap with a rubber

band.

Homemade French Horn Need:

1. Corrugated Pipe – (Length of pipe about 55 inch in length & ½ to 1 inch wide) 2. Pipe cleaners or tape or wire 3. Funnel

http://playsinglaugh.com/archives/1066 or http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

CD DISC CYMBALShttp://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

MARACAS http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

Needs for 1:

2 Plastic Spoons 1 Plastic Easter Egg

Decorative Tape Rice, Popcorn, Beans, etc.

1. Fill egg with just enough rice or beans to make a nice sound. 2. Click egg together and tape as shown.

Tubaphone "Dinosaur Call" http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

Needs: Long plastic tube (ex. golf club tube) Latex glove

Drinking straw Tape

1. Cut the tube to about 14-15” 2. Tape the glove opening around one end of the plastic tube. 3. Cut the tip off the ‘thumb’ of the glove, insert 2” of the straw and tape around. 4. Pull the glove back towards the open end of the tube with the “fingers” pointing out

and use the straw to fill it with air. 5. With the glove full of air, change the tension on the glove until air begins to escape

through the tube and makes a sound. You have the option of taping the straw to the tube at this time.

Note: Attach the glove to the thick end of the tube. Sharp edges could cut into the latex. Place tape over any sharp edges. Pull the 'thumb" towards the open end of the tube and tape into place.

Oboe Straw (Get different sizes of straws for different sounds.)

1. Flatten straw on one end and cut each side into a point like a triangle. 2. Punch one or more holes in a line along the tube of the straw. 3. To play, cover holes with fingers, pinch mouth piece and blow.

Wind Chime Needs: Coat hanger Washers, keys, jingle bells, old jewelry, etc. Tape

Scissors Ribbon

1. Thread washers, keys, jingle bells, etc., onto ribbon and tie onto coat hanger. 2. Strum as you sing.

Xylophone Needs: 4-6 Glass cups Spoon Water Food coloring (Optional)

1. Fill each glass with a different amount of water to make a scale. 2. Tap glasses with spoon to play songs.

Bass Needs: 2 or 3-liter plastic soda bottle Rubber bands Scissors

Popsicle stick Macaroni

1. Take off cap and cut a hole in the side of the bottle large enough to comfortably put hand in.

2. Cut rubber bands in half and tie together to make long enough to reach both ends of the bottle.

3. Punch hole through bottom of bottle. 4. Tie a piece of macaroni to one end of the rubber band and push the rubber band into the

bottle. The macaroni will hold the rubber band in place. 5. Tie the popsicle stick to the other end of the rubber band, and thread it through the neck

of the bottle. 6. To play the bass, strum the rubber band and pull the popsicle stick up or down to make

different tones.

Bottle Cap Shaker www.howcast.com/videos/ or www.musicmovesmenyc.com

Needs: 1 wooden dowel 1 large nail

3 small nails 6 bottle caps

Hammer

How to: 1. Decorate dowel 2. Make nail hole with large nail in

center of each bottle cap.

3. Put 2 bottle caps together and nail loosely onto the sides of the dowel.

4. Shake.

Kazoo Needs:

1 Toilet paper roll Scissors

Wax paper 1 Rubber band

How to:

1. Trace around toilet paper roll on to waxed paper and cut out 2“bigger than tracing. 2. Cover hole on tub and attach with rubber band. 3. Punch hole in side of toilet paper roll. 4. Blow-hum in open end like you would in a kazoo.

Whisk Maracas Put large jingle bell inside of a gravy whisk.

Guitar Needs:

Cardboard box (Sturdier box makes better sound)

Scissors 1 Paper towel roll4 Rubber bands 2 Pencils

Tambourine Needs:

Plastic bowl Curly ribbon

Scissors Hole punch

Washers Jingle bells

1. Punch holes evenly around outer lip of bowl. 2. Thread 2 washers and a jingle bell through several inches of ribbon. 3. Thread through a hole in the edge of the bowl and tie loosely. Repeat for every hole. 4. Shake and sing.

Tom – Tom Drum

Needs:

Oatmeal container 2 Balloons Rubber bands

2 Pencils (drumsticks) Scissors

1. Cut end of each balloon off and slip over end of oatmeal container. 2. Secure with a rubber band. 3. Cut off the bottom and repeat the balloon process on the other side. 4. Secure the balloons with a rubber band. 5. Drum with the eraser end of the pencils.

Buzzing Machine Needs: Colored index card Rubber band 2 Pencil Erasers

1-2 Feet Yarn Broken Pencil Stickers

Stapler Scissors

1. Cut card into a square and decorate it with stickers or use your imagination. 2. Put an eraser on each end of the pencil. 3. Tie yarn to one end of the pencil. 4. Staple the card to the side of the pencil. 5. Put the rubber band lengthwise around the pencil. 6. Twirl as the Aborigines of Australia do. It makes a nice humming noise.

Punch Hole

Harmonica

Needs: 2 popsicle sticks 1 thick rubber band

2 thin rubber bands 1 index card (2 layers of cellophane or tissue paper works better)

Tape Scissors

1. Cut card into several strips. 2. Put 2 popsicle sticks together and wrap a strip of the card around each end of the

popsicle sticks. 3. Secure card to itself with tape. 4. Remove one stick and save for later. 5. Put thick rubber band lengthwise around the popsicle stick inside the card tubes. 6. Put other stick into the tubes again and wrap thin rubber bands around each end to

secure. 7. Blow on the middle of the sticks to make a musical sound.

Spin Drum Needs: Pringles container Yarn

Dowel 2 Jingle Bells

Hole Punch Scissors

1. Cut a 2 ½section from a Pringles container. 2. Punch 3 holes – one in the top and one on either side of the cylinder. 3. Put the dowel through the top hole. 4. Thread the yarn through one side hole, around the dowel and through the other

side hole. 5. Put the Pringles caps on. 6. Attach a jingle bell to each end of the yarn adjusting so when the drum is spun

the bells will hit the drum sides. 7. Spin back and forth.

Punch Hole Punch Hole