- Hi everybody, my name's Abby and today we're at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center, a part of the Central Arkansas Library System.

Now, when you think about the library, you usually think about books.

But did you know we have so much more?

We have 3D objects that you can check out and take home with your library card.

One of the coolest things we have is a telescope.

You can use it to look at the moon or the stars or constellations.

We also have fishing poles with guidebooks and free bait and lures.

So you can go fishing in many of Arkansas's wonderful fishing spots.

Watch out trout!

(fishing line clicks) (water drips) Here at the Children's Library, we have a special collection of instruments.

You can come play them.

We also have some available for checkout.

How many times have you wanted to try out a violin?

Or a guitar or a keyboard or even a drum?

And that's what we're gonna be learning about today is music and instruments.

I'm gonna show you some really cool examples that we have here at the library today.

We've got a string instrument, like this violin.

(violin plays) Never had one lesson.

We also have wind instruments.

We have some flutes, but I like this recorder.

(recorder plays) We also have drums, which we're gonna talk the most about today.

In fact, we might make our own rhythm instrument.

And that's what drums are, a part of the rhythm section.

(drums play) Who doesn't love to bang on a drum?

With all these instruments, vibration is the key.

Whether it's a string instrument and the vibrations of the strings.

See how the string vibrates when it's plucked?

Or a wind instrument, the vibration of the air flowing through the instrument.

Or like these bongos.

If you'll notice, it makes a difference where you hit the bongos.

On the edge, a lighter sound.

If you hit it in the middle, it makes a deeper sound.

Or sometimes if you just tap your fingers, it can also make a different sound.

Did you know that drums were one of the first instruments to ever be made?

Hey, I got an idea.

Let's make our own rhythm instrument!

Hold on.

Let's make a maraca.

(maraca shakes) Maracas are traditionally found in Latin and Caribbean music.

They're a shaker instrument where beans or stones roll around inside to make a sound.

They usually come in pairs.

Hmm, I only have one.

We need to make another one.

Let's get to it!

First, we need a few things.

A plastic egg, two spoons, something to fill it with, I've chosen rice, and some tape.

First, you take the egg and open it and put in a little bit of rice.

(playful music) Close it back up.

I hold it real tight and give it a little test shake .

(maraca shakes) Sounds pretty good.

Then you get your tape.

I like to stretch out enough that I can wrap it around.

And you tape along the seam so that it won't spill.

Kinda press down so it'll mold to the egg.

And of course, another test shake.

(maraca shakes) Next, we're gonna add the handles of the maraca.

The egg fits nicely in these spoons, but I might knock it out a couple of times.

Sometimes it helps have a friend hold it for you while you tape it.

I'm gonna get my tape ready.

Then you tape the spoons.

And it's okay to sing while you tape spoons.

♪ Tapin' spoons is fun ♪ ♪ Soon we'll have it done ♪ (triumphant music) And just like that, two maracas!

(maracas shake) Don't you like the way that sounds?

(Latin music) Makes me wanna dance.

I hope you guys enjoyed making this with me today.

Hope you can come and visit us soon.

We have so many things for you to see.

Bye!

Thank you!