Homemade Instruments
The instruments we use varies from performance to performance, depending on who is playing, what stuff we've recently come across, and pure whim of the band.
Instruments currently being used in some performances are:
 The Big Blue Barrel - one of those industrial plastic barrels that makes a big bass sound. (Since it doesn't have a drum skin, musically this acts more like a bell than a drum) |
 The Canstrument - an array of tuned industrial food cans whose sound is something between a zylophone and a steel drum |
 Recycle Bin - a rectangular recycling bin (a green one from Morgan Hill) used like a rather versatile tom tom. |
 Brastrument - A wearable, playable brassiere of stainless steel bowls, with light-up nipples |
 The Beat-up Bucket - a much abused steel roofing tar bucket that makes a surprising variety of great sounds |
 Steel Drum - Not calypso-style, just like what it sounds like -- a drum made of steel for a loud high clack-a-tack-tack sound |
 Pots & Pans - Various resonant thrift-store finds |
 Pylophone - Made from left over metal pipes on a styrofoam bed |
 Wrench-o-phone - A xylophone-type instrument made from rusty wrenches found at the wrecking yard |
- The ThunderSheet - a sheet of galvanized tin. The sound is sometimes crashing cymbals, sometimes rolling thunder
- Scrap a-go-go - like a conventional a-go-go (which is sorta like a pair of cow bells) but welded from an old washer top
- Washing Machine - an old stripped-down washing machine, mounted with wheels to accompany a marching band. Provides an amazing diversity of sounds.
- The Battered Propane Tank - An empty propane tank that is played while sitting on it
- Water-filled Steel Thermos - Makes a changing tone as you strike it and move it around
- Hub Cap - Makes a high sound like a cymbal or has holes for a crrrrrrck! sound
Instruments-in-the-Making
- Additional Canstruments - enough of these and we have our own grungy gamelan
- Something like a snare - What is a marching percussion band without a snare, without a half dozen snares! What can we use? What would get that ratatatatatatatat sound?
We have periodic build days. Join us to create your own trash instrument with us. Want to be part of the Trash Orchestra, but don't have an instrument? Or are you tired of whacking away at the same old trash? Come join us for a Build Day!