Sonic Playground is a unique environment designed to encourage musical exploration and creativity in an atmosphere of play. Created by musicians/educators Dr. Leslie Wyber and Sue Smith, and designer Barb Bryce, Sonic Playground is a collection of unique handmade instruments and original games and activities. Sonic Playground special events and educational programs encourage children to develop listening and communication skills as they engage in a creative sonic adventure. The Sonic Playground team also designs interactive musical installations and festive exhibits to delight the ears and eyes.
Sonic Playground's instruments are made from familiar objects that we use in new and unusual ways. The instruments are designed for children who have no previous musical training.
The instrument design uses a collaborative design, first identifying appropriate sounds for each project and then designing the instruments to achieve the desired sounds. Percussion instruments and the sounds vary depending on the materials are choosen for the instruments and strikers. To date Sonic Playground has made a huge variety of drums, shakers, gongs, bells, chimes, plus hockey stick electric basses.
Construction
materials have included oven racks, fence-post caps, suitcases, rubber
balls, keys, spoons, door-stoppers, clock chimes, metal pipe, water
jugs, golf balls, hockey sticks and pucks.
For more information visit www.sonicplayground.ca.