Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: Types of Musical Instruments
Provides a list of musical instruments and how they work.
State of Florida
Florida Historical Resources: Musical Brocade: Ann Yao and Zheng Music
An article on the history of the "Zheng," an ancient Chinese stringed musical instrument and how it is still used today in music performances.
Other
Perfect Sound Forever: The Migration of African Music
This site discusses the migration of African music throughout the world and its influence on other cultures. It also speaks of the types of instruments used and the way in which they express the moods and feelings of their players.
Other
Wesleyan University: West African Music
This site talks about the African harp, guitar and several other instruments.
Other
Pay the Piper
A resource for children who want to play a musical instrument, and their parents, this website includes answers to such questions as "Where do you get lessons?" and "How much will a new instrument cost?" Also included are informational...
Other
Asia Society: Gamelan Dharma Swara: Balinese Dance and Music
Video performance of a gamelan orchestra and dancers showcases Balinese music and dance. [3:45] Accompanying program notes provide useful background information on the significance of gamelan to Balinese culture. A second video...
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Acoustics of Brass Instruments
Discover the acoustical properties of brass instruments from this well researched site provided by the University of New South Wales. Everything from lip control to bell shape is discussed as it applies to frequencies and harmonics.
Family Education
Family Education: Music Making Activities
Bring music-making activities home or to school. Check out how to guess instruments by their sounds and learn how to make a rain stick at this resource. It gives great directions on what you'll need and what to do.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Scoring Music: Write for Specific Instruments
If you are interested in arranging your own music, you should check out the tips offered at this website. Including a history of how music was arranged, this site also gives several good ideas of how to make your arrangements interesting.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Sound and Music
Introduce some activities that introduce students to the physics of sound. They will also learn how various instruments produce sound. Included are downloadable pdf worksheets and answer sheets to use.
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Orchestral Instruments
To provide an introduction to orchestral instruments of the modern Western orchestra
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Orchestral Instruments
This is a brief introduction to the various instruments on the modern orchestra. It is broken into sections based on the instrument families. Each instrument is briefly defined.
Other
The Clave: Creole Cuban Instrument
A thorough evaluation of the history and development of the clave, a Cuban percussive instrument.
Other
Guitar Nine: Are Lessons and Music School Really Worth It?
Even though this article is aimed at young guitarists, this is an excellent read for any young musician. This well- written column provides strong legitimate reasons for considering private lessons.
Stanford University
Stanford University: Electronic Instruments
This resource provides information about a number of different types of synthesizers used from 1890 to 1980.
Other
Henrylim: Harpsichord
This site provides great detail about the Harpsichord, also includes many color pictures.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Glass Armonica
Read a short essay about Franklin's invention of a musical instrument--the glass armonica. Includes a sound file of a composition by Mozart played on Franklin's instrument.
Other
Pay the Piper: The Bassoon
Learn about the Bassoon, "the largest member of the woodwind family," at this website. The site is geared toward young students who are thinking about playing a musical instrument.
Other
Pay the Piper: The Oboe
This website, geared toward young students who are thinking about playing a musical instrument, provides the "pros and cons" of playing the oboe. The site provides background information about this woodwind and related links as well.
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Horns: The Sound of the Wind [Pdf]
This FYI for Kids (Volume 2, Issue 7) article is about horn musical instruments. It explains how they work, materials they have been made from, what they are used for, and even how students can make a simple one for themselves.
Other
Gyrofrog Communications: The Telharmonium
Read a history of the telharmonium, how it works, and its influence upon electronic music.
Cyberbee
Adventures of Cyberbee: Digital Audio Basics [Pdf]
Try this beginner's tutorial for recording sound on the computer. It covers the historical background of audio files, file formats, basic audio recording, synthesized music and copyright.
Other
Kitchen Musician Site: What Is a Hammered Dulcimer?
Here you can find a very thorough description of a hammered dulcimer, tracing this instruments creation and history. Pictures are also included.
Other
Music for a New Age: What Is New Age Music?
This site was developed to detail what constitutes new age music. There are links to new age music programs.
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