Curated OER
The Layout of an Orchestra
In this orchestra worksheet, 7th graders follow directions for coloring in a diagram of an orchestra setting. They shade each section according to the type of instrument that would be seated there.
Curated OER
The Brass Family
Students observe a PowerPoint presentation to explore how brass instruments produce wounds. They observe the teacher demonstrate the proper use of the mouthpiece and slides to produce a tone. With and without the mouthpiece, students...
Curated OER
Musical Instruments
In this musical instruments worksheet, students identify and locate 20 various types of musical instruments in a word search. First, they locate brass and percussion instruments. Then, students locate string and woodwind instruments.
Curated OER
Instrument families
Students brainstorm to list as many instruments as they can and try to guess which instrument family into which they fit. They research each instrument on a website and find the family, hear the sound and learn about each one.
Curated OER
Music - Lesson 3 - Orchestra
Second graders study the four families of orchestral instruments and patriotic songs in this unit of lessons.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University: Why Was the Valve Invented?
Dr. Ericson holds firm to his beliefs that the valve was not invented as "a mere crook changing device." Dr. Ericson embraces the idea that the "co-inventors of the valve clearly intended to perfect the brass instruments by making them...
Arizona State University
Arizona State University: What Was the Omnitonic Horn?
This Arizona State article suggests that the omnitonic horn and valved horns were invented in the same era and for the same reasons. However, further reading points out the differences between the two. The explanation for their invention...
Arizona State University
Arizona State Univ.: Horn Folklore & "Urban Legends"
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...
Arizona State University
Arizona State University: Natural Horn & Its Technique
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...
Native American Art and Technology
Native Tech: Native American Brass & Copper Bead Making
Brief description of copper beads made by tribes in the Northeast Woodland culture area with images.
Native American Art and Technology
Native Tech: Native American Brass and Copper Work in Wire
Description of brass and copper wire ornaments made by tribes in the Northeast Woodland culture area.
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
Pay the Piper: The Trumpet & the Cornet
This website, intended for young students wishing to play a musical instrument, discusses the "pros and cons" of playing the trumpet or cornet. The site provides background information on these brass instruments.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Saxophone
Read more about the saxophone, and the characteristics of the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the saxophone play with the orchestra.
Read Works
Read Works: Musical Instruments the Bugle and Taps
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the bugle and its most recognized song, "Taps." A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Chemistry: Alloys
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Definition of alloy and examples.
Native American Art and Technology
Native Tech: Native Rings and Bracelets
This site describes different types of bracelets and rings worn by Native Americans, mainly in the New England area, during the 17th century. It also describes how they were made and the source of the metal used.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Alloy
This site from the Encyclopedia Wikipedia provides the definition of the term, "Alloy," and then offers hyperlinks to special alloys. The information is very brief, but factual, and worth checking out on the subject.
Music Education
Learn About Instruments: The Brass
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.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Musical Instruments
An interactive and printable crossword puzzle developed by the New York Times Learning Network. The theme of this puzzle is Musical Instruments.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Orchestra Instruments
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the various instrument families and the instruments that fit in each family. Sound files are attached to the instruments so that students can hear what each sounds like.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Tuba
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.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: French Horn, Brass Instrument
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.
Science for Kids
Science Kids: Copper Facts
Interesting facts about copper including its unique properties and uses.