Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To create a tissue box guitar, you will need:

– An empty shoebox-sized tissue box

– A ruler (or a paint stirring stick)

– Rubber bands in various sizes and widths

– Scissors

– Packing tape or duct tape

Step 2: Prep the Tissue Box

Ensure that the tissue box is empty and clean. Remove any remaining tissues and discard the plastic film, if present. You may also want to decorate your tissue box with colorful paper, paint or stickers.

Step 3: Attach the Ruler

Place the ruler on top of one of the longer edges of the tissue box, extending about half its length outside the box. This will serve as the neck of your guitar. Secure it in place using packing or duct tape, making sure it is centered and firmly attached

Step 4: Cut Notches for Rubber Bands

Using scissors, make small cuts on either side of the top edge of the tissue box where you want to place your rubber bands. These notches will help keep them in position.

Step 5: String the Rubber Bands

Slide each rubber band around the width of the tissue box and into their corresponding notches. Use different widths and sizes of rubber bands to achieve different tones when playing your guitar.

Step 6: Tune Your Tissue Box Guitar

Stretch or loosen each rubber band by adjusting their positions in the notches until you achieve your desired pitch. Experiment with various combinations and placements for different strings.

Your tissue box guitar is now complete! Start playing by plucking or strumming the rubber bands over the hole in the tissue box while holding down different lengths of each rubber band on the ruler ‘neck’ to produce various tones. Enjoy creating unique melodies and tunes with your new handmade instrument!