How to Make a Tin Can Bongo

Using recycled materials and some tape, you will have all that you need to make tin can bongos at home. They sound good too!

1. Remove the bottom of the can with a can opener. Tape around the edges to cover any sharp edges.
2. Cut about 8-10 strips of tape. Make these about 4 inches longer than the the top of the can.
3. Criss-cross the tape over the top of the can. Rotate until the entire top is covered. Stretch the tape tightly for a good sound. If you are very neat and precise, this will form a neat geometric pattern.
4. Use a longer piece of tape to encircle and cover the edges of the tape drum head. Stretch it tightly to hold securely.
5. Use a glue/water (2 parts glue/1 part water) solution to attach the tissue paper to the can (not the head) You can use strips or odd shapes of the tissue to make a design. Get creative.
6. Repeat this with both cans and let the cans dry on wax paper.
7. When both cans are finished and completely dry, use one last piece of tape around the bottom to protect the tissue paper.
8. (Optional) Spray both cans with clear lacquer. Allow to dry thoroughly according to the directions. Use good ventilation!
9. Glue the spool between the two cans about halfway up. Set the cans on the floor to keep them even on the spool.
10. When the glue on the spool is dry, take a long piece of clear packing tape and wrap a couple of times around the center of the cans to hold them together.
11. Note that the two drums will most likely sound a little different. One will have a little bit higher pitch than the other.
12. If you like, make some mallets to use on them. A new un-sharpened pencil with a good eraser will serve as a pretty good mallet/drumstick.

• When you make your first criss-cross on the drum head, you can put a sticker in the middle for decoration. You could also use markers to decorate the head, then cover the top again with another layer of clear packing tape to protect your artwork.
• You can also use masking tape for the first layer and packing tape on top to protect your artwork.
• You can just make one and have just a drum instead of bongos.
• You can make three. skip the spool part and just tape them together to have a 3-toned drum.
• Instead of lacquer you can just cover the entire tissue papered can with clear tape.

• Use caution when removing the bottom of the can and taping the edges. You can cut yourself!

• Packing, masking, or duct tape
• Can opener
• Two large cans
• Paint or tissue paper
• Brush (for the glue)
• Wax paper
• Thread spool (or object or similar shape and size)
• Spray-clear lacquer (optional)