Assignment # 4: Instrument Study

It's getting to be that time again. Time to get our instruments out of their cases and start squeaking and squacking and huffing and puffing and playing! But, before we really get into the nitty gritty, I think it's important for us to know a little more about the instruments that we play with every day! To do this, I've come up with an assignment. It's an assignment that I've done before, but I've never done it online, so this is going to be an experiment for all of us. Read on to discover the parameters:

Using the questions below, you will work (either individually or in partners) to learn more about the instruments we use in class. Some of you may also be assigned an instrument that we do not have at school, but it is still important for us to be aware of the different instruments used in concert bands and orchestras.

You will have three half-hour classes to work on this project. By the end of the school day on October 29th, you must create a blog post discussing your instrument. You must cover all of the points included below, a picture or diagram with all of the parts labeled, and must also include a demonstration, a poster, or a sound recording. We will learn how to post these types of multimedia in class this week.

If you find information that is not required as part of the questions, but information that you find interesting or important, please include the information in your post. Remember, it MUST be in your own words!

You will be given research sheets in class this week which must be completed. These sheets will have all of the questions on them, as well as space for notes, diagrams, etc. They must be handed in to Ms. Crosbie, as these will give evidence of your research. You must also provide a list of resources from which you obtained your information (this includes any website from which you borrowed pictures, video, etc.). A rubric will also be provided to you to further show the expectations for this assignment.

 Questions to answer:

1) Instrument name:

2) Type of instrument (instrument family):

3) Number and names of ALL parts of this instrument:

4) Which clef does this instrument play in?

5) When was this instrument invented?

6) Who invented this instrument (and where are they from)?

7) Does this instrument make sounds of a high pitch or a low pitch?

8) How do you make a sound with this instrument?

9) How do you assemble this instrument?

10) How do you sterilize the mouthpiece of this instrument (percussionists, you will have an alternate question as this doesn't apply to you)?

11) How do you maintain this instrument before and after playing?

Some Helpful Websites:

Flute History.com

About Music.org

Music Science at UNSW 

DSO Kids 

BBC Guide to the Orchestra 

 National Arts Centre Instrument Lab

Sound Junction

Think Quest Instrument History

Violin History

Alison Vardy Harp and Lyre History

Instrument Encyclopedia

Making Music

Classicol Instrument History

This assignment is due by the end of the school day, OCTOBER 29, 2010!