While we tend to focus on the scientific and mathematical side of life, we still love the arts! That’s the great thing about magnets—they’re useful almost everywhere. With that in mind, we thought we’d turn our attention to music. Specifically, those learning to sing or play an instrument. One of the first things all musicians need to learn is how to read notes and other symbols found on a page of sheet music. This can often be tricky, especially if it’s totally new. Luckily, we've got a simple DIY to help anyone learn the various parts of a musical staff and where they appear. Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Black construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Contact paper or laminate
  • Old cookie sheets or other pans (the flatter the better)
  • White paint
  • Black paint
  • Adhesive Disc Magnets
  Assemble Your “Sheet” Step 1: Begin by painting your cookie sheets or pans white. These will serve as the “paper” for your musical staff. Let dry. Step 2: Take the black paint and add your musical staff. Remember, there are five lines on a staff. Feel free to add measure bars if you’d like. Step 3: Using the black construction paper, cut out various components of sheet music. Another option is to print them out. Just make sure they’re to scale with your staff (no pun intended). They can include:
  • Notes (whole, half, quarter, eighth)
  • Rests (whole, half, quarter, eighth)
  • Time signatures (common, cut, ¾, etc.)
  • Accidentals (flats, sharps, naturals)
  • Clefs (treble, bass)
  • Dynamics (forte, mezzoforte, piano, etc.)
  • Any other symbols (breaths, slurs, trills, codas, repeat)
Make as many as you’d like. Whatever suits your needs! Step 4: After you have all your notes and other symbols. Apply contact paper or laminate to make sure they last a long time. Step 5: Apply your adhesive disc magnets to the back of your notes and symbols and you’re ready to go! Now your sheet music tutor is all set. Try placing notes on different parts of the scale and asking your student to identify what they are (A, Bb, C#, etc.) or ask them to show you where to find the key signature. Magnets and music—what a great combination! Make sure to check out the rest of our DIYs while you’re here.