A funny wind instrument you can find in your kitchen!

Fill your baster bulb with water by putting the open end under a slow running faucet until it reaches the top of the bulb or try to remove the bulb, fill it and replace it. You may have to experiment with both filling techniques to see which one works best for you and your baster. Do not fill the plastic air column of the baster.

Hold your baster upright with the open end of the plastic air column on your lower lip. Extend your upper lip and blow gently across the top of the baster. If you blow too hard you could begin to feel a little dizzy.

Warning: If you ever feel dizzy while trying to play your baster stop immediately, and take a break.

 

Gently squeeze the bulb of the baster near the bottom to change the level of the water and the pitch of your baster. If you squeeze near the top, you may cause the water to leak from the baster bulb. (If you do get a leaky baster, put some duct tape over the edge of the bulb so that it seals the bulb to the column better.)

The technique for playing the turkey baster is the same as blowing across a bottle to make sound. Sometimes it takes a little practice but once you learn how, it is like riding a bike.

The Science Behind The Sounds You Can Make:
When you blow across the top of the turkey baster, it makes the air inside the open space in the baster vibrate. Small air spaces vibrate more rapidly than large air spaces. When there is very little air in the baster, the air vibrates faster and you produce a high note. When there is more air in the baster, the air vibrates slower in the larger space and the note is lower.

Baster care: Empty your baster after each use and rinse it with a little dishwashing soap and warm water. If your baster is dishwasher safe, you can take it apart and put in the dishwasher to keep it clean.

Turkey baster buying tips: Look for a clear or semi-clear plastic so that children can see the water inside.

Contact me about concerts that feature homemade instruments and the science of sound. I also lead residencies and workshops for students, families, teachers, and librarians, 

Leave a comment