Rachel Sumner: Spoons

Rachel Sumner demonstrating how to put  spoons together.

Wrap a rubber band on the handle of one wooden spoon and then wrap another rubber band in the same location of the handle as the first spoon. The rubber bands will create a space between the spoons. Place the wooden spoons back-to-back

Tip on holding your spoons: Be careful not hold on to your spoons too high up the handle as you try to play or you will mute them. Keep your fingers relaxed as you hold the spoons and tap.

Rachel says playing percussion with spoons is a joyous use of everyday materials. They sound a little like castanets. The sound is produced when the "bowls" of the spoons are clicked against one another.

Place the bowls of the spoons back-to-back. You will need to make sure that the bowls are separated from each other. They must be loose so they can make a clacking sound as they are tapped. One way to do this is to hold them with your index finger between the handles of the two spoons, wrap the rest of your fingers around the handle of the bottom spoon and put your thumb over the spoon on top.

Rachel Sumner also let students know they can use any type of  spoons from their kitchen at home. You can play teaspoons, tablespoons, or any other set of wooden, plastic or metal spoons.