Curated OER
Nepalese Drum on a Stick
Students create a two sided percussion instrument designed to look like a damaru drum from Nepal. They locate Nepal on a map and conduct research on Nepal and the damaru. Students then create a damaru drum using a small plastic container...
Curated OER
Teaching Musical Instruments in Kindergarten
Students explore the sounds of different instruments through the nne lessons of this unit. Instruments representing the elements of percussion, string, and wind are utilized in this unit.
Curated OER
Illustration # 1: Source of Illustration
Students play a game of imitating steady beats by mimicking the instructor. They use drums and repeat the game by echoing rhythmic patterns. The patterns may vary in degree of difficulty according to each individual's ability.
Curated OER
Native American Song and Dance
Students examine the importance of the drum and drumming in the cultural context of the Native American. Musical insturments and native dance is employed to support the focus of the lesson.
Other
Vic Firth: Snare Drum Rudiments
All 40 of The Percussive Arts Society's Essential Snare Drum Rudiments are found on this site. Each rudiment includes audio and video so you can see and hear how the rudiments should be practiced. There are also many helpful tips on how...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Anthropology: Sounds of the Silk Road
Travel the tales and sounds of the Silk Road through this resource and understand how music shaped Asian, and eventually, western cultures. You can create your own music to share with your friends, and gain knowledge about common...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Timpani
A nice, factual encyclopedia entry from Wikipedia on the timpani. Discusses its origins, how it is played, how it is tuned, and its significance in an orchestra. Links are provided throughout the article for additional information.
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.
Other
Drum Bum: A Drum Lessons Database
Providing "Over 400 free Lessons and Tabs," this resource includes learning ideas and information for everyone from the drum novice to the expert. In addition to including lessons on a wide range of instruments, this resource includes...
Quia
Quia: Dear Mr. Henshaw: Parts of a Friendly Letter
A fill-in-the-blank music game on percussion instruments. The student is able to check their answer after each of the 10 questions.
Other
Wesleyan University: Instrument Museum Exhibits
This list of exhibits from the Instrument Museum provides information on 16 instruments that are not widely know. Each instrument is displayed in a 360 degree picture that can be rotated for a complete view.
Other
Vic Firth: Educator's Resource Library
This website is a cornucopia of resources for percussion instruction. There are videos, audiocasts, podcasts, interviews with talented percussionists. Please check out this website is you are interested in any aspect of percussion.
Other
Brunelleschi
This site provides the art of the well-known Florentine sculptor and architect, Brunelleschi. Each art clip is accompanied by a brief commentary describing the scene.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Snare Drum
Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of instruments, especially the snare drum. Find out how it helps the orchestra make music. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the snare drum by itself and with the...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Bass Drum
Read about the percussion family of the orchestra. Find out how the bass drum helps the sound of the orchestra. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the bass drum.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Percussion
A basic article on percussion instruments lists several examples of percussion instruments, provides a distinction between membranophones and idiophones, and lists instruments that are tuned vs. ones that are not.
Curated OER
Merriam Webster: Visual Dictionary Online: Snare Drum
Illustration of a snare drum, with its parts designated.