Music Fun
Musical Instruments
Membranophones? Aerophones? How about strings? Percussion? You need not be a music instructor to benefit from a packet of 24 worksheets that introduce aspiring musicians to the various instrument families.
Curated OER
Musical Instrument Families
Using graphics, and an easy-to-understand format, this resource outlines the different kinds of instruments and their characteristics. This presentation could be used as an introduction to instruments for students getting ready to...
Curated OER
Musical Instruments - Woodwinds
Students assemble and examine typical European orchestral woodwind instruments, determine how the instruments change pitch, identify common orchestral woodwind instruments by sound, and research a non-Euro-centric woodwind instrument in...
Smithsonian Institution
American Sabor Crossword
How much do you know about Latin American music? A crossword puzzle challenges learners to answer 24 questions about the history, genres, performers, and instruments of Latin American music.
Curated OER
African Music
In this music instructional activity, students read an excerpt about African Music. Once completed, they respond to eight short answer questions related to the reading. Students also imagine that they are an African musician and suggest...
Curated OER
The Clarinet Family- Grades 4-5
In this music worksheet, students learn about the clarinet family of woodwind instruments by looking at the 3 types of clarinets in a picture and completing 5 questions. There is no information on the page.
Curated OER
The Clarinet Family
In this music worksheet, students investigate the features and history of the clarinet. Students answer 6 multiple choice questions. No information is provided on the page.
Curated OER
Renaissance Music Questions
Add a comprehension resource to a unit on the Renaissance or music of the Renaissance period. Middle schoolers answer eight comprehension questions and complete ten additional questions in order to fill out a crossword...
Curated OER
The Chicken Dance
Third graders identify and perform the five main dance movements of the "Chicken Dance" to accordion music.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Woodwind
This lesson helps young scholars identify the woodwind family of instruments in an orchestra by sight and sound. The students will also identify which instruments have a single reed, double reed, or contain no reed.
Arizona State University
Oboe Reed Adjustment Guide
This is an excellent guide about oboe reeds. The article covers the subjects of tone quality and stability of the reed. The author describes the "performance of a reed by using four basic criteria: response, resistance, tone quality and...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Woodwind Instrument
This site from Wikipedia provides an overview of woodwind instruments and discusses the three types of woodwind instruments and the difference between brass instruments and woodwind instruments.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Clarinet
This article, providing general information on the clarinet -- "a very popular woodwind instrument which originated in Islamic and Asian countries" -- includes an image of a clarinet, several references for reading and research, and a...
Music Education
Learn About Instruments: The Winds
This tutorial teaches students about the flute, piccolo, and saxophone. It features sound clips so that you can hear examples of each instrument being played.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Musical Instruments
An A-to-Z directory of all the instruments and tools of the orchestra. Each entry includes a description, a picture, and a sound sample.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Saxophone
The University of Michigan provides general information on the saxophone, a single-reed woodwind instrument, invented by Adolphe Sax. This resource also includes images and references for further reading and research.
Other
Clarinet Reeds: Selection and Care
If you are a clarinet player, this is an excellent site dealing with the selection and care of clarinet reeds. Topics covered are: recommended brands of reeds, reed strength, reed rotation, and reed holders.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Oboe
This short article on the oboe includes information on the development of this instrument as well as a sound clip (in AIFF format and RealAudio format) and references for further reading and research.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bassoon
This essay provides general and historical information on the woodwind instrument, the bassoon, which is a "larger and lower-voiced version of the oboe." Included are references to famous musicians who worked with the bassoon and several...
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bass Clarinet
The University of Michigan provides a brief article on the bass clarinet, which is "the lowest voiced member of the clarinet family." Includes references for further reading and research and links to information on the clarinet and...
Other
What Is Oboe D'amore?
This is a description of the sister to the oboe: the oboe d'amore. It gives examples of its orchestral use and the popularity of the instrument through the centuries.
The Orchestra
The Orchestra: A User's Manual Oboes
Explore the many aspects of the oboe. This site explains its construction, range, articulations, effects and more. Be sure to check out the videos of the players tips and tricks.
The Orchestra
The Orchestra: A User's Manual Bassoons
A wonderful resource covering many aspects of the bassoon. Most explanations are made with video and audio clips of members of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Be sure to check out the players tips and tricks section.
Other
Thumbnail History of the Banjo
Site that focuses on the development of the banjo instrument, but also traces its role in minstrel shows of the 1800s. Offers different viewpoint of this genre.