Text in this orange colour indicates that similar instruments can be found on every continent
Lots of Littles Kit - Where it comes from Woodpecker
This is a modern invention and its closest relation is probably the European wood block - a hollow block of wood that resounds when hit by another bit of wood (in this case the woodpecker’s beak).
Bamboo thunder drum
Like the frog twirler this is a European variation of the “friction” drum. In all these drums the drumskin is made to vibrate by movements in the hoir, string or spring.
Coconut castanets Simplified version of a classic Spanish instrument, used to accompany dance.
One bar chime
It’s possible that chime bars developed in Nepal or China as aids to meditation.
Pad shaker Mini ping pong shaker
Wind chimes are thought to have originated in Japan, where bamboo was used before metal was readily available.
Mini pangi shaker Mini kenari shaker Mini bento shaker
Two more modern inventions -and like all shakers the sound is made by hard beads or seeds that move inside a resonant container.
Simple shakers using seeds or nuts are found all over the world. These three are made from the husks of the seeds of the Pangi, Kenari and Bento trees that grow in Indonesia. Each seed husk makes a different sound.
Frog twirler This wonderful instrument is a variation on the kuika and hair drums found on every continent.
Horio shaker Frog scraper
Pangi bracelet shaker Kenari bracelet shaker Bento bracelet shaker
This is a type of guiro, a mainstay of south American percussion but found on every continent. Originally made from hollow gourds, bones, wood or stone, they come in all shapes and sizes.
Bracelet shakers are found all over the world and are usually worn by dancers. These three are made from the husks of the seeds of the Pangi, Kenari and Bento trees that grow in Indonesia. Each seed husk makes a different sound.
Bamboo shaker Eggs-on-stick Egg shaker
Clapsticks A very ancient instrument that has been found on every continent and can be made from wood, stone, bones or ivory.
Simple gourd or bamboo shakers are found in all cultures and the egg shakers are a modern variation.
Pod shaker
Rainstick 40cm Rainstick block The rainstick probably originated with the Incas in Peru and is now found throughout south America, where it’s made using cactus plants, and southeast Asia, where it’s made using bamboo.
Mini wind chime
Super mini kenkeni This is a type of dundun drum found in Mali and Guinea in west Africa. Similar doubleheaded drums are also found in Europe, the Balkans, India, China and Japan.
soundchildren.co.uk
Djembe
Cow bell
Kokokan
Cow bells of different types are found all over the world, A style of drum with a wherever animal husbandry distinctive “hour glass” shape, that is made and has developed. These metal played all over west Africa ones are typically African and the wooden one is and particularly in and from Indonesia. around Mali.
Monkey drum
An eastern African hand drum that you twirl between the palms of both hands. Very similar to the damaru, an ancient Tibetan drum.
This instrument literally grows on trees. It’s the giant seed pod of the Flamboyant tree, which grows in Africa, SE Asia Caxixi shaker and Australasia. The tree is a relative of the acacia A classic African shaker made from tree that grows in the UK. rattan with seeds or stones inside.
Helping children and teachers develop into musicians, naturally
Lots of Littles Kit - What’s in the baskets 2 Woodpeckers
2 Pangi bracelet shakers Made from: cotton and Pangi seed husks Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
2 Bento bracelet shakers Made from: cotton and Bbento seed husks Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
2 Pod shakers
Seed pods of the Flamboyant tree Played by: shaking Age from: 2-ish
Made from: cotton, hard wood and Empag wood Played by: pulling Age from: 3-ish
Made from: Mahogany wood*, goatskin, cotton and steel rings. Played by: hitting, slapping Age from: 1-ish Take care: The skin is fragile so don’t hit with anything sharp and don’t get it wet (but if you do, it can always be dried out with a hair dryer).
2 Rainstick blocks
Made from: bamboo, wood, goatskin, cotton and steel rings. Played by: hitting Age from: 2-ish Take care: The skin is fragile so don’t hit with anything sharp and don’t get it wet (but if you do, it can always be dried out with a hair dryer).
Made from: goatskin, cotton and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
Made from: Mahogany wood* Played by: shaking Age from: 3-ish
2 Coconut castanets
2 Bamboo thunder drums
Made from: bamboo, goatskin and steel Played by: shaking (gently!) Age from: 3-ish Don’t get the skin wet (but if you do, it can always be dried out with a hair dryer).
2 Bamboo shakers
Made from: coconut “wood” Played by: tipping Age from: 2-ish
Made from: bamboo and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
30 Music cards
Ideas and hints for leading stimulating music sessions. There are 5 introductory cards and 25 musical activity cards.
Super mini kenkeni + 3 dundun sticks
2 Pad shakers
Kokokan
2 Kenari bracelet shakers Made from: cotton and Kenari seed husks Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
5 Djembe + sticks
Mini wind chime
Made from: bamboo, cotton and aluminium Played by: blowing or stroking Age from: 3-ish
Made from: soft wood and plastic beads Played by: shaking, tipping, hitting together Age: from 3-ish
2 Caxixi shakers Made from: rattan and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
2 Mini kenari shakers
2 Monkey drums
Made from: Kenari seed husks and arbesia wood Played by: shaking Age from: 2-ish
Made from: Arbesia wood, goatskin, cotton and plastic beads Played by: twirling Age from: 2-ish
One bar chime
Made from: Mahogany wood, aluminium and cotton Played by: hitting Age: from 2-ish
2 Sets of clapsticks
2 Frog twirlers
2 Mini ping pong shakers
Made from: Empag wood, goatskin and nylon Played by: twirling, twisting Age: from 3-ish
Made from: Limanuh wood, aluminium and cotton Played by: hitting Age: from 3-ish
soundchildren.co.uk
2 Mini pangi shakers Made from: Pangi seed husks and arbesia wood Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
Made from: Arbesia wood, ping pongs and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
8 Egg shakers
Made from: Bento seed husks and arbesia wood Played by: shaking Age from: 1-ish
Made from: Mahogany wood* and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 4 months
Made from: bamboo, glass and plastic beads Played by: tipping Age from: 3-ish
3 Frog scrapers - S/M/L Made from: Empag wood Played by: scraping or hitting Age from: 3-ish
2 Eggs-on-sticks
Made from: Mahogany wood* and plastic beads Played by: shaking Age from: 4 months
2 Horio shakers Made from: Mahogany wood* and plastic beads Played by: shaking, scraping Age from: 4 months
Cow bell
2 Mini Bento shakers
Rainstick 40cm
Made from: steel Played by: hitting Age from: 2-ish
Please note that seasonal availability of some materials or other factors affecting supply may cause us to make substitutions from time to time.
Helping children and teachers develop into musicians, naturally * all our mahogany wood is sustainably grown