Image Copyright Coca-Cola The Hoot Image Copyright Coca-Cola

Once you've finished drinking your frosty beverage, the fun isn't over! You can convert your empty can into a wind instrument. If you're in a hurry, you skip directly to step six, and have some success. However, for the best sound quality, some preparation will be required in order to remove obstructions to airflow, which can cause unwanted buzzing and whistling. You'll at least want to wipe off any excess liquid on the outside rim of the can, so you don't blow a sticky, syrupy aerosol all over your appreciative audience.

Step One

The first task is to remove the pop tab. If you haven't done so already (if, for example, you're one of those Philistines that doesn't drink the Coke directly from the can), fold the tab down flat again. Try not to bend the tab around too much, or metal fatigue will cause the tab to pop off at the wrong time. Take the tab between thumb and forefinger, and gently turn it around 180 degrees, such that the tab sticks out over the mouth of the can.

Step Two

Now, remove the tab without leaving behind any sharp bits. Take your thumb, and slowly press the tab into the mouth of the can. Be very careful of the sharp edge at the mouth of the can. It's almost serrated, so don't drag your fingers sideways across the edge, or press too hard on it. As the tab is pressed nearly vertically, it should neatly pull the little round bit of the tab off the center rivet of the can. If possible, try to catch the tab between your thumb and forefinger. If you miss, you can get it later.

Step Three

Now push the punched out metal flap out of the way. Take your index finger (or little finger, if necessary), and press the tab up and inside, so that it rests against the inside of the top of the can. Again, watch out for those sharp edges!

Step Four

Verify that the air path is clear. If you weren't able to get the pop tab out of the can before, it should now be pretty easy to shake it out of the can. Careful where you shake it, as the remaining drops of beverage will fly everywhere. You may need to thump the sides lightly a few times to get the tab loose, if the tab is sticking on the inside of the can. Or, if you're feeling festive, you can add several more tabs to the can, and make a maraca.

Step Five

Now tend to your cuts. I told you to watch out for those edges! Follow all the standard procedures and precautions for first aid. Apply direct pressure, clean the affect area, apply an antiseptic, use a band-aid. You know the drill.

The author neither assumes nor accepts any responsibility for any injuries received while modifying aluminum beverage containers, which have wickedly sharp edges if handled improperly or carelessly. You have been warned. Blood simulated with Heinz Ketchup.

Step Six

Now you're ready to try and play your new instrument! Purse your lips slightly, like you are preparing to blow across a bottle top or a flute. Your lips should form a small, thin oval, and should be loosely puckered.

Place your lower lip on the lip of the can. You will be blowing across the edge of the mouth of the can, opposite the folded in pop flap. Place your lower lip at the location of the blue spot shown in the picture at the right. You won't be blowing towards the rivet in the center of the can, but instead across the mouth, off to the side of it.

Step Seven

With your lips held as described in step six, blow across the top of the can as shown. The airstream should be split across the opposite edge of the mouth of the can. You may need to slightly adjust the angle and strength of the airstream in order to produce the strongest, clearest tone. You should hear a hooting sound, kind of like an owl.

the Basic Hoot

Once you've mastered the basic Hoot, you can adjust the tone by adding water back to the can, or by blowing on it while it's still partially full. Be careful not to overfill the can, though, as no tone will be produced, and you could end up blowing the contents of the can all over the place. I've found that a little over half full is an effective maximum.

A more patient man than I could actually tune his cans to create a kind of pan flute. But, as I am perfectly content making little hoot-owl noises, I'll leave it to someone else to become "Canphir: Master of the Can Flute." If anyone was really interested, you'd probably need to mix in some larger cans (like large malt liquor cans or similar) to get the lower notes, and possibly those tiny energy drink cans (Red Bull or similar) for the higher tones. The scale below is about the widest range I was able to achieve using a normal 12 ounce can. The lowest note is completely empty, and the highest note is a little more than half full. When I tried to add more water, there wasn't enough space to really form a proper tone, and it just made a thin windy noise and blew water up my nose.

A Sample Hoot Scale

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