BBC
Bbc Radio 3: World on Your Street: The Music of India
A full-featured site for learning about the music of India, although not actively maintained since 2004. Easy-to-read spotlights on instruments and musicians communicate the essential qualities of Indian music. Accompanying audio files...
TES Global
Tes: Teaching Shakespeare: The Tudors Their Music
[Free Registration/Login Required] This resource focuses on the music of the Tudor era including harpsichords and drums. Students listen to various pieces of music and try to copy them.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Beatboxing 101 Beat Nyc
There's no need for instruments to make music; you can use the greatest instrument of all, your own body. Members of BEAT NYC teach the basics of beatboxing (think trumpets, bass drums, and everything in between), all while driving...
Smithsonian Institution
Nm Af A: Audible Artworks: Selected African Musical Instruments
Five traditional African musical instruments are highlighted at this Smithsonian site: two types of drums, the thumb piano (mucapata), harp, and whistles. Includes historical facts about the instruments.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize: Music of Africa
This site is a part of the About Music site of the BBC, and this interactive site lets you explore various parts of Africa, their music, their instruments, their sounds. Requires Real Player.
Other
Virtual Instrument Museum: Musical Genres
This page lists all of the musical genres covered by the Virtual Instrument Museum. Each genre will link to a picture and information specific to that genre including information on the instruments associated with the particular genre.
Other
Janet Planet for African Music Organization: The African Music Encyclopedia
Learn about African musicians and their music, at this encyclopedia site.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Ancestors Talk Through Drums
In this segment from EGG:the arts show, meet Camilo Gaetan who is becoming a master drummer.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Musical Images
Students are introduced to the concept of the image of music. After listening to a song, they draw images of it by deciding where different musical instruments were placed during recording. They further investigate audio engineering by...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Math + Arts: Drum Beating & Foot Stomping
In this lesson, students watch African dance and calculate tempo. Students also calculate heart beats at rest and after exercise and convert beats per second to beats per minute. Media resources and teacher materials are included.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Message Drums
How did various cultures communicate before the invention of the telephone, email or telegraph? Discover the use of message drums in this lesson plan.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Rhythm in a Box: The Story of the Cajon Drum
Many modern musical instruments are complicated pieces of machinery with many moving parts. But the cajon is simply a drum and a stand and a seat all in one box. Paul Jennings explains the history behind the cajon and how it has become...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Caribbean Music: Calypso and Found Percussion
Have your students learning about calypso music with this engaging lesson plan. Learn about calypso rhythms and learn a calypso song.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Architecture Helped Music Evolve
As his career grew, David Byrne went from playing CBGB to Carnegie Hall. He asks: Does the venue make the music? From outdoor drumming to Wagnerian operas to arena rock, he explores how context has pushed musical innovation. [16:00]
Other
Drum Bum: A Drum Lessons Database
Providing "Over 400 free Lessons and Tabs," this resource includes learning ideas and information for everyone from the drum novice to the expert. In addition to including lessons on a wide range of instruments, this resource includes...
Other
Taiko: Japanese Drumming Style
Featuring information on the ancient Japanese drumming style known as taiko, this site offers a lot of information including its history, glossary as well as other resources.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: Drum Corps Tryout
See if you can march to the beat of your own drum and try out for a Drum Corps. When the falling letter hits the drum, press the matching key.
Other
Drumatix: Vintage & Collectable Drum Center
This site offers vintage and collectable drum products for sale. Lots of images! (Takes a while to load)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum
By using music and various writings, students will explore the advantages and disadvantages of conforming to society's expectations at this site.
BBC
Bbc Schools: Gcse Bitesize: Music: Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East
A diverse range of musical styles can be found around the world. Music from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East all have their own unique musical features and instruments. One of the most influential types of music-making in...
Other
Tomas Howie Drumming Web: Reading Music
This site is provided for by Tomas Howie and Drumming Web. Although originally written for the drummer, any aspiring musician could benefit from the explanation of how to read music and the examples it contains. Drummers will want to...
Other
Dancedrummer: Traditional African Drumming and Dance
African drumming and dance are discussed in this interesting site. You can play with some of the interactive African style drums as well as access video and audio clips of the music.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Musical Instruments
An interactive and printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Musical Instruments.
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Drums: Keep the Beat
What are drums made of and how do people use them to make music? Let's find out with FYI for Kids: Drums (volume 1, issue 6). This article discusses the materials, sizes, shapes, and uses for drums. (PDF file download)