Tag: moose call

More About Moose Calls, Vibration and Sound

If you liked the Moose Call project, you might also like another quick and easy sound project that turns a straw into a reed instrument (saxophones, clarinets, snake charmer's horns, harmonicas and duck calls are all reed instruments).

Here is a page from the howstuffworks people about sound. I really like the animation they have of a bell ringing. It shows how air molecules collide against each other to create a spreading shock wave to our ears. It's a more interesting way to begin to understand sound than still pictures. If you can't see the Flash animation, you can try watching the movie below.

Here is a product which is very similar to the Moose Call. However, instead of a string there is a "tape" with very precise grooves (similar to LP record groves--before CDs) that create words when you pull the string. The phrases are hard to understand. I found "happy new year" to be the easiest to understand.

This page is still under construction. If you know of a good web page about sound, please contact me and let me know.

Make a Moose Call

What you need (see the pictures below)

  • Disposable plastic cup (best) or paper cup or coffee can. You can use other things, but I know these work.
  • Some kind of string, about 2 feet (60 cm) long. I've used cotton string, nylon twine and dental floss. I've even heard of people using shoe laces.
  • Something sharp and round to punch a hole in the cup.
  • Something to keep the string from pulling out if a knot doesn't work (you might not have to do this, but you will if the string is thin like dental floss or with a paper cup. You can use a matchstick or toothpick or twig.

Step 1

Punch a small hole in the middle of the bottom of the cup--just big enough for the string to fit through--and push the string through the hole.

Step 2

There are two ways to attach the string to the bottom of the cup:

Tie the end to the matchstick or toothpick. This is more work but better because you don't have to be as careful about yanking too hard.

Alternately, tie a very big knot on the end of the string that goes through the cup, to keep it from pulling through the hole. I use a variation of the simple "overhand knot." However, I loop it several times to make the knot fat.

How to use the moose call.

Usually, you will need to wet the string. Wetting it serves the same purpose as the rosin applied to bowed string instruments. You might not have to with waxed dental floss. Hold the cup in one hand and the string--near the cup--between thumb and forefinger. Pull. You should hear a noise, and it should be loud.

Here's a short (5 sec) video of some kids making it work.

Ethan Maas of Seattle, Washington sent the following innovation:

I made the Moose Call that's on your site but I made the string a little longer than you suggested. I was feeling lazy and I didn't want to measure it exactly...anyway this made it possible for me to step on the string and pull it taut. It was then I I began to pluck it while loosening and tightening the string. It worked much like a washtub bass. I didn't know if you care about this bit of information (I imagine that you already knew it), but in the off chance you may want to include this on your site...or maybe not....
Ethan

Actually I didn't know, Ethan. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'd like to know how this project goes for you. I'm happy to answer questions about it. Feedback from you is an important way for me to know what works and what needs clarification.

Moose Call

It's hard to believe anything so small and simple could be so loud and educational!

- SciencetoyMaker

The picture and video are from "親子で作ろう・遊ぼう", the website of Gakujinsha, a Japanese non-profit organization. The website is full of interesting projects and funny, good-natured writing. He put powdered rosin on his fingers to increase the friction, tried it out late at night and woke up his whole family. Read more about Gakujinsha here.

I learned about this amazing device from Mrs. Wilma Moore. Her husband runs a science club where he teaches at the First Nations Reserve in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. She said that hunters actually use them when calling in moose.

Aside from the sheer fun of it, the moose call demonstrates the concept that makes acoustic stringed instruments (violin, guitar, cello, banjo) as loud as they are. But don't expect to carry a tune on it. In the More About section you can read about what a sound board* is and how it amplifies sound.

*Violin, guitar, and piano strings press down on a bridge which conducts their vibration to a large, thin piece of wood called the soundboard.

I'd like to know how this project goes for you. I'm happy to answer questions about it. Feedback from you is an important way for me to know what works and what needs clarification.