Article
Other

Pay the Piper

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
Article
PBS

Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Glass Armonica

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Bassoon

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Oboe

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
Article
Other

Leather Puppets of India

For Students 3rd - 8th
Use this site to learn about the fascinating world of Gypsy-made leather puppets. This nomadic tribe is always on the move carrying their puppets and musical instruments seeking permission from village leaders to perform for monetary...
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Violin & the Viola

For Students 6th - 8th
This informative article on the violin and viola includes the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to play one of these instruments. This website includes information on playing, maintaining, and repairing the violin and viola....
Article
Arizona State University

Arizona State University: Natural Horn & Its Technique

For Students 9th - 10th
Arizona State's descriptions of the horn are broken up by illustrations of the horn, players, and music. There is a big discussion of crooks (not the kind that go to jail), but the kind that are made when you bend metal! The author notes...
Article
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Trumpet & the Cornet

For Students 9th - 10th
This website, intended for young students wishing to play a musical instrument, discusses the "pros and cons" of playing the trumpet or cornet. The site provides background information on these brass instruments.
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Flute

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about playing the flute at this website, which is geared toward young students who are thinking about playing a musical instrument. Includes background information on this woodwind, and links to more information.
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Cello

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides information on the cello for those students considering taking up a musical instrument. Includes information on playing, maintaining, and repairing the cello, and much more.
Article
Other

Influence vs. Imitation

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting article debating the issue of whether influence and imitation can cause a young musician to lose their own creativity. The column is well written and provides some good insight.
Article
Other

Naeyc: Help Your Child Build Fine Motor Skills

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
There are lots of activities that can increase muscle strength and coordination, preparing children for more advanced skills, from writing with a pencil, using a computer mouse, or playing a musical instrument. Help your child build fine...
Article
Other

French Horn Stopping Why the Pitch Shift?

For Students 9th - 10th
The opening four points of this article point out the 4 special challenges of playing the modern French horn. When the player uses the "stopping mute", he/she must transpose the music down one semitone in order to play in the correct...