THE INSTRUMENT PROJECT:
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
If we know Mr. Williams, he's probably assigning the "Make the Instrument" assignment around Christmas time. We would like to inform you that this assignment is for a major part of your grade, all of your instruments must be perfectly in tune, they must be able to play a perfect 8-note scale including your song, and you must have perfect frequency for every note. In case you didn't know, he DOES have a special device to check for EVERY aspect of your instruments.
Before you pass out and/or start convulsing, we are here to HELP you. Nobody helped us...TRUST us. We survived.
In order to help you overcome your anxieties, fears, and possible all-nighters, we are here to share a story so it will help you to avoid repeating mistakes. It all started one Sunday morning....A long, long time ago...(This IS a true story, believe it or not.)
The story started 8 a.m. as Leslie and Sara (yes, the names havebeen changed) began on their optimistic mission to secure the necessary equipment in order to ensure optimum success and quality of their instruments.
First, they started with research. We went to Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Crown Books, even going so far as Toys 'R Us. The people at all the respective places were very helpful, but they looked at them like they were crazy...They did find some information, but the internet helped more. (See below for sites.)
They determined the instruments we were going to make. Leslie chose to make the percussion and she was going to have her dad help her construct a metal hanging xylophone. (It came out pretty good!) She suggests using a piano to tune the notes so that the pipes are cut to the right length for the scale. Sara chose to make a recorder out of bamboo. (It didn't turn out very well the first few times....Well, 5 or so, even after Mr. Williams helped her.) In the end, the PVC plastic pipe did the job...Well, kind of.
Since this IS a "group" project, they had 2 other group members to "help" them. After Sara and Leslie finished getting their materials and were enjoying a fine lunch at Steak 'N Shake (with their waiter Dave), they decided it would be time to meet up with the other 2. Using a cell phone from Sara's mom, they called them for the millionth time that morning and they asked Sara and Leslie to "help" them.
Unfortunately, Sara and Leslie did NOT realize that "help" meant spending extra money (that they never got back), half a gallon of gas used from driving around for the next 5 hours, being yelled at (NOT in a nice way), delivering materials to various places (including to various foreign "family" houses), and lots of extra stress and anxiety.
In conclusion, they suggested to us, after their 10 1/2 hour or so ordeal, that you follow the following tips to ensure success and a peace of mind.
1. Pick good groups (preferably friends or people you know you can work with and depend on). This is crucial for communication and you will feel better in knowing that everyone is doing equal work.
2. Never lend money. The lesson to be learned here is that you probably will never get it back.
3. Choose instruments wisely. Don't choose something that you will have problems with making if you don't have time. Be willing to work with the instrument if problems arise.
4. Don't be afraid to ask Mr. Williams for help, even if it seems intimidating.
5. Please trust us and search for instrument ideas on the internet. Books provide minimal information. You can get ideas from the following sites that will help you make the instruments correctly.
6. Have fun! The project is long and may get you very frustrated at times, but if you work hard and relax (even if it seems impossible), you will get a good grade. Mr. Williams likes to see effort!