Creating Sound Effects

Sound effects can make a show seem more real. Look over your script. Add notes about sound effects. Plan how you will make each sound. Use the information in the table below to get started. Try using the same materials in different ways to create new effects.

Sound Effect	How to Make the Sound
rain	Sprinkle rice into an aluminum pie plate.
horse's hoofbeat	Tap two small blocks of wood together in rhythm.
wind	Make the sound with your voice.
thunder	Shake a large sheet of metal.
gurgling stream	Place a drinking straw in a cup with a little water and blow hard.
footsteps	Have someone stomp his or her feet.
pop or explosion	Blow up and pop a small paper or plastic bag.
bag of gold coins	Shake a bag filled with metal washers.
scraping sound	Rub two pieces of sandpaper against each other.

Don't forget the power of human speech to imitate sounds. Here's a list of sounds that you can make to get you started.

Sound Effect	Word That Sounds Like a Sound
dog	ruff-ruff, growl
cat	meow
car brakes	screech (Stretch out the "ee" sound.)
sneeze	ah-choo!
broom sweeping	swish