Helping non-musicians make a little music

[Dave in Olympia]

My significant other and I are getting married in July on the Washington coast at a small beach-side resort. There will be maybe 20 people there. We're taking over a third of the cabins, and are planning an outdoor singalong kind of thing around the firepit one evening. Both myself and my sister's husband play guitar, and my brother-in-law-to-be is an accomplished harmonica player. I'd like to get the others involved as well. So far, I'm bringing a cajon, some maracas, and thought I'd buy a few kazoos. Any suggestions for other easy to play rhythm instruments to get folks involved?

[LAPlayer]

If you don't have the "maracas", I would forgo them for egg-shakers. Generally cheaper and people love them. You can give all the extras a set as a gift for coming. Don't forget, there's always room for more cowbell.

[canehorn]

I’d avoid kazoos personally…they will disrupt the effort to make enjoyable music. You are on the right track with rhythm elements. We used to have a gang join late night jams and the pieces that let them join in without killing the mood were bongos, congas, rain sticks, acoustic bass (just have to show them root notes of chord progression), tambourines, bodrhan, and a variety of shaker type native percussion items I can’t name but have collected over the years. It’s worth the effort, good times when would be audience participates!

[leew3]

This might be a fun addition

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[catndahats]

Egg shakers are a great idea!
Wonder if there is time to get them customized with the couple's name and wedding date?
Down in the swamp of Louisiana/S.E. Texas, they pass out spoons to play.
And, congrats on the upcoming wedding!

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

If you don't have the "maracas", I would forgo them for egg-shakers. Generally cheaper and people love them. You can give all the extras a set as a gift for coming. Don't forget, there's always room for more cowbell.