8 3 1 Standards 1 3 Lesson Video

Summary

In this class, the instructor reviews the families of orchestral instruments, focusing on strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The lesson explains each family, its components, and characteristics, such as how the oboe and bassoon have different mouthpieces, or how the piano is technically classified as percussion. Students are asked to memorize both English and Chinese names for the instruments and participate in group presentations, discussing each family’s range and key facts. The session includes hands-on activities, helping students learn through visual aids and recordings, preparing them for upcoming tests and group work.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lesson covers different families of musical instruments: strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and keyboard.
• 😀 The class will be preparing presentations on these families, focusing on names, range, and characteristics of instruments.
• 😀 The students will be split into groups to present on specific families, with each group researching the instruments in that family.
• 😀 Instrument names should be learned in both English and Chinese for better comprehension and memorization.
• 😀 The flute is part of the woodwind family, though it is made of metal, not wood.
• 😀 The piano, though having strings, is classified as a percussion instrument because its sound is produced by striking strings.
• 😀 The euphonium is a smaller version of the tuba and belongs to the brass family.
• 😀 Students should present on the range (how low and high an instrument can play) and other key features like materials and playing techniques.
• 😀 For the presentations, students are encouraged to include audio or video recordings of the instruments.
• 😀 The oboe and English horn are related woodwind instruments, and the class should be able to compare their differences and similarities.
• 😀 The class is also preparing for an exam in which they will identify instruments based on musical excerpts and describe their melodic passages.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this class session?

The main focus of this class session is on instrument families, which is a key topic for the AP exam. The lesson includes identifying instruments by their family and understanding their range and characteristics.

How will the AP exam test students on instrument families?

The AP exam will not test students on directly identifying instruments by sound alone. Instead, students will listen to a passage, such as from a Mozart symphony, and be asked to explain the melodic passage, identifying which instrument or family is being played.

What are the four main families of instruments discussed in the lesson?

The four main families of instruments discussed are Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion.

Why is the piano considered part of the percussion family, despite having strings?

The piano is considered part of the percussion family because its strings are struck by hammers inside the instrument. This action categorizes it as a percussion instrument, even though it contains strings.

What are some of the string instruments mentioned in the class?

The string instruments mentioned include the violin, viola, cello, and bass (contrabass).

What is the difference between a trumpet and a euphonium?

The euphonium is a smaller version of the tuba, whereas the trumpet is a distinct brass instrument. Both belong to the brass family but differ in size, sound, and pitch.

How is the French horn sometimes referred to, and why?

The French horn is sometimes referred to as 'fog,' likely due to regional naming differences, or the way it sounds, resembling a foghorn.

What makes the saxophone unique in terms of orchestral inclusion?

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument but is not typically part of the orchestra, even though it uses a reed like other woodwinds. It is more commonly found in jazz and marching bands.

What should each student include in their presentation on instruments?

Each student should include information on the instrument's range (how low and high it can go), compare similar instruments, and provide recordings or videos of the instruments being played.

How are the students divided for the group presentations?

The students are divided into three groups: woodwinds, brass, and strings. Each group will present their assigned instrument family, explaining their characteristics and including visual/audio materials.