Gravity Defying Music Note

This is a cardboard music note shape that defies gravity. It will fall off your finger by itself but it you add the weight of a leather belt it balances perfectly on your finger tip!

For this project all you need is a few pieces of cardboard, leather belt, scissors, glue, ruler, pencil and a marker. Use a can 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter like a can of soup to use as guide for your circle.

Start by taking your can and set it on one side of the cardboard. Outline the circle shape with a pencil, pen, or marker around your can. After use your ruler to draw a line diagonally from the circle about 5 inches long. Place your can to the other end of the line on the opposite side and outline 1/4 of the circle. Use your marker to make another line 3/4 inches wide on the outside of your first one. Round it to the base of your circle outlines as shown.

Cut your shape out and then use it as a guide drawing two more like it and cut them out as well. Be sure to cut a little groove between the note head and stem for the belt to fit in.

Place glue on one side of the shape and use scrap cardboard to spread it all over evenly. Attach one of the other pieces to the glue so the shapes are the same. If you have too much glue slide the two shapes back and forth a little this will make sure the glue holds and push excess to the edges. Wipe any excess glue off the edges when done. Now use the same technique to glue the final shape together with the others. Once complete you will have a thick and sturdy gravity defying music note.

Now for the fun part. First take your note and put it on your finger in the same way you will with the belt. It just falls off! How will adding weight to it make it balance on your finger? Take a leather belt and slide it into the groove and put your finger under the top and it appears to defy gravity. Why does it do this? Can you figure it out? Once you do show your family and make up a great story as to why it floats. Is it magic words? Or is this special cardboard created from trees high in the mountains where they absorb helium helping it float? Be creative and come up with something amazing. I hope you enjoyed I’ll make one out of wood soon.