+
eBook
Unite for Literacy

Unite for Literacy: Create and Play: Musical Families

For Students 1st - 2nd
Learn about the different groups of musical instruments. Book includes audio narration in 6 additional languages with text in English.
+
Article
Arizona State University

Arizona State Univ.: Horn Folklore & "Urban Legends"

For Students 9th - 10th
This Arizona State University article more appropriately falls under the heading of literature, but Dr. Ericson's statement in the first paragraph, "I am amazed by the rather large body of plausible sounding folklore which has been...
+
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...
+
Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Musical Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
Homepage for a hypertext about the different families of musical instruments. From this page, users can retrieve information on a the acoustics of a variety of specific instruments: stringed instruments, woodwind instruments, brass...
+
Interactive
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Brass Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the science of sound when performing with a brass instrument such as a trumpet or a trombone.
+
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How Brass Instruments Work

For Students 9th - 10th
What gives the trumpet its clarion ring and the tuba its gut shaking oompah-pah? And what makes the trombone so jazzy? Al Cannon shows how these answers lie not in the brass the instruments are made of, but in the journey that air takes...
+
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
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: The French Horn

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a web page introducing the French horn. Included is a brief history of the instrument as well as audio clips and pictures.
+
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Brass

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A lesson that familiarizes students with the brass family of instruments in an orchestra. Students will identify each instrument by sight and sound, as well as, name the instruments in order from highest to lowest sound.
+
Interactive
PBS

Classics for Kids: Instruments of the Orchestra

For Students 3rd - 6th
See and hear the instruments of the orchestra.
+
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Woodwind Instrument

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
+
Article
Text Project

Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Horns: The Sound of the Wind [Pdf]

For Students 2nd - 5th
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.
+
Handout
Other

Western High School Band: Tuba

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick overview of the tuba, its functions and history.
+
PPT
Other

Alien Travel Guide: Musical Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains links to articles that explain how musical instruments work, describes vocal mechanics, and the three main vocal groups.
+
Handout
Music Education

Learn About Instruments: The Brass

For Students 3rd - 8th
Besides providing general information on various brass instruments, such as the French Horn and trombone, one can listen to sound clips of these instruments being played.
+
Interactive
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Musical Instruments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An interactive and printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Musical Instruments.
+
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: Brass Instruments

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about various musical brass instruments like the trumpet, trombone, and tuba on this website. Also discussed are styles of music and how they work.
+
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Tuba

For Students 3rd - 5th
Read about the brass family, and the tuba in particular. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the tuba by itself and with the orchestra.
+
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Trumpet

For Students 3rd - 5th
The trumpet has the highest pitch in the brass family. Read more about the trumpet and about the brass family of instruments in general when using this resource. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the trumpet by itself...
+
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Trombone

For Students 3rd - 5th
Did you know that the trombone has about nine feet of tubing in it? Read more about trombones and the rest of the brass family of the orchestra at this resouce.
+
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: French Horn, Brass Instrument

For Students 3rd - 5th
Visit this resource to find out how the French horn is played. Read more about the brass family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the French horn on its own, or with the orchestra.
+
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Trumpets and Cornets

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn more about the trumpet and cornet at this web page. Provided is a brief history of these brass instruments.
+
Website
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: An Example Intermediate Horn Home Practice

For Students 9th - 10th
If you are a French horn player, you may get a good idea of how to practice from this resource. It provides general ideas of what your practice routine should include.
+
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: How Brass Instruments Work

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about how brass instruments work. Musical notes made with slides, valves, and bells.