How to make a cool horn out of a drinking straw. The video shows the whole process and demonstrates the use of the horn and shows some of the modification possibilities.

This is a great little trick that you can easily whip out for comic relief next time your are sitting at a restaurant. The sounds produced range from a duck call to a flagulent.

This is a great sound production platform and yields well to modification. The possibilities are almost endless.

Step 1: Cut the Straw

If you prefer, you can see this entire Instructable in video format.

Flatten an inch or so of the end of the straw and then cut the corners of the straw off starting about 1/2 inch from the end. The remaining flaps are the reeds that produce the sound.

The sound produced is affected by the shape and length of the reeds, so try cutting the corners off at different angles and starting at different lengths from the end of the straw.

Step 2: Blow

Playing the horn is pretty easy. Just blow. If it doesn't work, try varying the volume of air you are blowing or biting down on the straw to flatten it a little more. I find that I get the best results when the straw lightly touches my top teeth.

Step 3: Modify It

In the video I show some basic modifications using a funnel and some PVC pipe. The sound that is produced is much fuller and louder than the bare straw.

I also experimented with fitting one PCV pipe into another to make something similar to a trombone. If you watched the video, I am sure that you were very impressed with my rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that I played on this instrument.

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59 Comments

shyamkago

6 years ago on Introduction

That is awesome.

craft-n-genius

7 years ago on Introduction

Hysterical!!! Got to make this... it will annoy the dickens out of my mom. ;) Really cool.

FrodoandSam

8 years ago on Introduction

That...was...beautiful.

yommy

8 years ago on Introduction

Having the ability to be creative in doing things uplifts our potential for success in life.It is an area the university of Nigeria implores her students to emulate check http://www.unn.edu.ng

yommy

8 years ago on Introduction

I really love the creativity in making things. I think with a sound knowledge one will improve drastically check http://www.art.unn.edu.ng

whiteoakart

13 years ago on Introduction

This is wonderful, Shoemaker. It will go well in my new Maker band: The Dr Seuss-a-phone (Brass section) The PVC Native american flute (Wind) The Propane tank Hang drum (Percussion) The PVC Weed wacker string Standup Bass (Strings) And, finally, the wind section.....Drinking Straw Clarinet (Woodwind) Now, if I can just get enough crazy people to play with. If anyone is interested, I will post links to all the instruments.