Play-along events

Play-a-Long Events

We’re bringing in-person play-a-long events back in 2022! Here’s how you can get involved even if you aren’t a musician!

Makey Makey Installation

Led & Designed by Asha Tamirisa – Bell Buoy Park – 11:00AM-2:00PM

“Rock Music” Electronic Sound Sculpture – What would rocks sound like if they could sing? You can find out by exploring this electronic sound sculpture designed by Asha Tamirisa and powered by a Makey-Makey invention kit!

Using this circuit board, plugged into a computer, performers of all levels will turn everyday objects (like bananas) into touchpads and use them to make music. Come unlock the sounds of the rock sculpture!

Shower Singing

Post Office Park – 5:00PM-6:00PM

It wouldn’t be Make Music Portland without Shower Singing! Whether you play professionally or just literally, love to sing in the shower, you’re invited to join us for this fun event.

Junkophonics

Led by Jeremy Fink & Friends – Post Office Park – 11:00AM-12:00PM

This Make Music Day, discover the instrument in everything by building instruments out of found objects – junkophones! Here are some examples of what we’ll be making:

Party Cup Drum – It’s a membranophone!
Strum Cup – It’s a chordophone!
Cuica Cup – This is a Brazilian instrument that is featured in samba music.
Drinking Straw Oboe – It’s an aerophone!

The performers and educators of Bash the Trash Environmental Arts, and percussionist/instrument-builder extraordinaire Craig Woodson from PlayDrums.com, have offered their innovative designs for wind, percussion and string instruments made from everyday refuse. These amazing instruments offer us an opportunity to look at “junk” and music-making in a whole new way.

Ukulele for Beginning Beginners

Led by Chris Beaven – Post Office Park, 1:00PM-2:00PM

Led by Chris Beaven, former music director at Wayneflete School In these times, what could be more fun than learning to play a ukulele?! Chris will have you playing and singing a song on your ukulele within 10 minutes after you pick it up. No prior musical experience is necessary. Just a ukulele and a desire to have some fun that can last you a lifetime.

Flower Pot Music

Led by John Colton, Alex Adams, and Kate Beever – Moontide Park – 7:00PM-8:00PM

Music on June 21 can come from anyone, anywhere, and anything – even flowerpots.

Flowerpot Music, written by award-winning composer Elliot Cole and directed by percussionist Peter Ferry, is a composition for an unlikely but beautiful percussion instrument – the flowerpot! Bell-like tones are passed from performer to performer in improvised gestures called “blooms” that sweep through the group. The piece is written in simple prose, and can be performed by non-musicians and musicians alike.

Groups around the world will assemble on June 21st, with safe social distance, to premiere a special version of the piece “Flowerpot Music: Make Music Day book.” View last year’s event here.

Intro to Djembe

Led by Namory Keita of Embody the Rhythm – Bell Buoy – 4:00PM-5:00PM

Learn the basic drum strokes, patterns and feel for the djembe hand drum from Master Drummer Namory Keita! You can “bring-your-own-drum” or we will have a few bucket drums for people to use. Get ready to join your first drum circle!

Namory Keita was born in the village of Sangbarala, Guinea into a family of well-known drummers. At age seven he began drumming, eventually becoming the lead drummer for his village. Namory holds regular classes all over Southern Maine and leads the drum and dance group New Moon Ensemble.

Bucket Drumming Lesson

Led by Miguel Sanchez- Bell Buoy Park – 12:00PM-1:00PM

Led by Miguel Sanchez, local percussionist with Plague Dad.

How do those amazing street drummers make music with just a five-gallon bucket? Learn the basics of the boom boom bap with Miguel Sanchez! We provide the sticks and buckets. You bring the rhythm!

Sousapalooza

Led by Ideal Maine Social Aid & Sanctuary Band – Bell Buoy Park – 6:30PM-7:00PM

Since 2011, Make Music Chicago has pioneered the “Sousapalooza” – an invitation for hundreds of brass, wind, and percussion players to come together and sightread the music of The March King, John Philip Sousa. After a couple of years off during the pandemic, Sousapaloozas will return in 2022 in cities around the U.S. Download the music, bring your horn, and join the band! Join the Ideal Maine Band as they lead a Sousapalooza “march.” We’ll be playing Liberty Bell; music can be found here.

Harmonica Lessons

Led by Aaron Seglin – Post Office Park – 2:00PM-3:00PM

Ever dream of becoming a star harmonica player? Now is your chance! We provide the harmonicas and Aaron Seglin of 13 Scotland Rd. provides the lesson. No experience necessary.