Prelude Name Class School
The String Family String instruments produce a sound by bowing or plucking the strings. Plucking the strings is called pizzicato. The bow is made from horse hair pulled tight. All string instruments have a head, neck, and body. The body is made from varnished wood. Strings are made of steel or nylon. Instruments have four strings.
Violin Is held under chin Can play the highest Describe how the violin sounds. Describe how the violin feels when you hold it. _
Viola Viola is slightly thicker than the violin Instrument is held under chin Plays medium to high mellow sounds Describe how the viola sounds. Describe how the viola feels when you hold it. _
Cello Played while sitting down End pin holds up cello Medium low sound Describe how the cello sounds. Describe how the cello feels when you hold it. _
Bass Played while standing Has the longest and thickest strings Can play the lowest notes End pin holds up the bass Describe how the bass sounds. Describe how the bass feels when you hold it. _
The Woodwind Family Sound is produced by blowing into or across the reed/mouthpiece. All woodwinds are tubes with keys for fingers. Originally made from shells, wood or animal bone. Longer tubes make lower sounds/ short tubes make higher sounds. Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe
Flute Sound is made by blowing across the mouth hole Has 16 keys over 16 holes Usually made of silver Split into headjoint, body, and footjoint Describe how the flute sounds. Describe how the flute feels when you hold it. _
Oboe Played with a double reed Body is made of hard, black wood Split into top joint, bottom joint, and bell Describe how the oboe sounds. Describe how the oboe feels when you hold it. _
Clarinet Played with a single reed on the mouthpiece Shape is cylindrical Body is wood, keys are metal Split into mouthpiece, barrel, top joint, bottom joint, and bell. Describe how the clarinet sounds. Describe how the clarinet feels when you hold it. _
Saxophone Played with a single reed on the mouthpiece Body is made of brass Player uses a neck strap to support the weight of the instrument. Describe how the saxophone sounds. Describe how the saxophone feels when you hold it. _
The Brass Family The body of the instruments are made of brass The tubing is folded or coiled around All brass instruments have either valves or a slide Lips are buzzed into the mouthpiece to make sound Mouthpieces in the brass family are either cup shaped or funnel shaped. Trumpet Baritone Tuba French Horn Trombone
Trumpet Highest of the brass instruments Cup shaped mouthpiece Has three valves Describe how the trumpet sounds. Describe how the trumpet feels when you hold it. _
French Horn Funnel shaped mouthpiece Uses rotary valves The right hand is placed in the bell to adjust the sound Describe how the French horn sounds. Describe how the French horn feels when you hold it. _
Trombone Uses a cup shaped mouthpiece Has a slide instead of valves It uses a slide to change pitches instead of valves Describe how the trombone sounds. Describe how the trombone feels when you hold it. _
Baritone Uses cup shaped mouthpiece Has three valves Describe how the baritone sounds. Describe how the baritone feels when you hold it. _
Tuba Uses a cup shaped mouthpiece Has three valves Plays the lowest of the brass instruments Describe how the tuba sounds. Describe how the tuba feels when you hold it. _
The Percussion Family Instruments are played by striking, scraping, and shaking There are two main categories; pitched and unpitched Some instruments are struck with sticks or mallets while others are struck with your hands. Timpani Tambourine Triangle Cymbals Xylophone Bells/Glockenspiel Bass Drum Snare Drum
Snare Drum Played with drum sticks Type of membranophone Has two heads; one on top, one on bottom Steel snares are strung underneath. Describe how the snare drum sounds. _ Describe how the snare drum feels when you play it. _
Xylophone/Bells Xylophone bars are made out of wood Bell bars are made out of metal Notes are laid out chromatically Bars are struck with mallets Describe how the xylophone sounds. _ Describe how the xylophone feels when you play it. _
String Orchestra Second Violins Violas Basses First Violins Cellos List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble?
Concert Band List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _
The Voice and Singing in a Chorus The voice makes sound by releasing air through the vocal chords. The voice can be easily manipulated to create a variety of pitches. Vocal training is best done when singing with others. Singing in a Chorus is the best way for young singers to gain vocal skills. Voices for all children (boys and girls) change as they get older. Individual vocal lessons are not encouraged until after the voice begins to change.
Concert Chorus Bass Soprano Tenor Alto List the voice groups that are found in this ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble performing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _
Ensemble List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _ Ensemble List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _
Ensemble List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _ Ensemble List the instruments that are found in the ensemble: Where can you go to hear this type of ensemble playing? What do you notice about this ensemble? _