Make Your Own One-String Pork’n’Bean Guitar The One String Pork n’ Bean guitar was introduced to me by Thad Beach of Waynesville, NC. It has proven to be the perfect instrument to show teachers and students how to make on an elementary school budget!   1. Begin with any size tin can. Remove the lid with a can opener. Its best to recycle an old can because the top will already be removed! 2. Make a hole in the center of the other end of the can with a small nail. 3. Place the can on a piece of wood (any length, shape or width) with the closed end close to one end of the wood. Put several pieces of tape around the two to hold them together. (I prefer to use a 1" x 4" x 16" piece of wood). 4. On the other end of the wood, make a small hole with a nail and screw in screw eye. 5. Hammer nail into the wood at other end of the wood (about 2-3" past the can). It’s best to use a nail with a head and nail it at an angle. 6. Place a metal guitar or banjo string (.016 dia. for you technical folks out there) around the nail, through the hole, up to the screw eye and tie a knot in the string. (I prefer the third string of a banjo string with a loop end.) Tighten the screw eye to desired pitch. For music teachers, I suggest using an autoharp or piano tuner-peg at the top. Most music stores can get them. With the peg it can be tuned easily and holds a pitch better. 7. To play it, place something metal in your hand (a can opener or pocketknife work well), slide it up and down the string and play different notes. 8. Pluck the string with a guitar pick. I suggest beginning with easy melodies, such as “Red River Valley” and “Mary had a Little Lamb.”

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