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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Instruments of the Orchestra- Flute and Oboe

For Teachers K - 5th
Students name the different families in an orchestra, name many of the instruments in each family, listen to an orchestral recording to identify the flute and oboe and listen to the melody of a piece.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Do Re Mi With Straws

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this fun science fair project about the physics of musical sound production. Here you will make musical instruments with drinking straws, one for each note on a one-octave major scale. You will figure out the right lengths for...
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Website
The Orchestra

The Orchestra: A User's Manual Oboes

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Other

Discover Eso: Musical Instruments: Woodwinds

For Students 9th - 10th
Website with information on four woodwind instruments: clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and flute. Students learn about the history and qualities of the instruments and can listen to audio excerpts of the instruments being played.
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Website
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids

For Students 3rd - 8th
This interactive site offers students resource for learning about composers, their works, the logistics of orchestra seating, the functions of different instruments, and the like.
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Article
Arizona State University

Oboe Reed Adjustment Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Article
Arizona State University

A Daily Warm Up Routine for Oboe

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is for the oboe player who is looking for guidance in daily practice. This site outlines and spells out the warm up routine for practice. It consists of tone and control and technique. The site is very complete in content on...
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Website
Arizona State University

Arizona State University: Oboe Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a site from the Arizona State University which is dedicated to the Oboe. This site is developed and maintained by Martin Schuring, Associate Professor of Oboe, and discusses oboe study at Arizona State and other oboe topics.
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Website
PBS

Classics for Kids: Musical Instruments

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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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...
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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.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Oboe

For Students 3rd - 5th
Learn about the oboe and how it is played. Read more about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the oboe on its own or with the orchestra.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: English Horn

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this resource to learn about the English horn and read about the woodwind family. Use ReadAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the English Horn by itself and with the orchestra.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Bass Clarinet

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this resource to learn about the bass clarinet, and read about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the bass clarinet on its own and with the orchestra.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Listening Library

For Students 3rd - 5th
At this resource listen to a selection of audio clips that feature the works of a full range of composers and a full orchestra of instruments. Scroll down an alphabetical list to find the composer or instrument you want, then choose the...
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Uncommon Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
The emigration of various cultures into the U.S. gives birth to many many instruments such as the piano, guitar and oboe. Discover the history behind these instruments.
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Website
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Saxophone

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Bassoon

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Website
Other

What Is a Cor Anglais?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the Cor Anglais (English Horn) as a variant of the oboe and offers a picture of the two instruments side by side.
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Website
University of Michigan

University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Oboe

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Music Education

Learn About Instruments: The Winds

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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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.
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: Woodwind Instruments

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site contains information about various musical woodwind instruments like the flute, clarinet, and oboe. Learn about their styles of music and how they work.
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Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Contrabassoon

For Students 3rd - 5th
Learn about the contrabassoon, a member of the woodwind family of instruments. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the contrabassoon.