Let's Start!
Before you even know the different types of Instrument Families, can you imagine your very own, unique instrument? Imagine, create, and draw an instrument that's never been seen before. Then write a 5-10 sentence summary about it. You could include: how it's held, how it makes sound, where it originated, or came from, what it's made out of, or anything else interesting you can think of.
Meet the Families
Strings...
- All instruments use strings to produce sound and vibrations
- Most have a hollow body for greater resonance, or volume.
- Played by either bowing or plucking the string
- Includes the following instruments:
Woodwinds...
- Are made out of wood, or originally were
- Use wood or reeds to produce sound and vibrations
- Played using wind, or breath
- Includes the following instruments:
Brass...
- Made out of metal
- Uses air, or breath, to produce sound and vibrations
- All Brass instruments have three key structural components in common: Mouthpiece, tubing/piping, and the bell.
- Includes the following instruments:
Percussion...
- Played by striking, or hitting, scraping, and even shaking the instrument
- This is the largest family as almost ANYTHING can be considered a percussion instrument!
- Fast fact: Even though Pianos have strings, they're considered a part of the Percussion family because you strike the string to produce sound!
- Includes the following instruments: