Instrument Families and Classifications Overview Kenneth Beck Enterprise High School

What instruments do YOU know? On a sheet of paper, write down every instrument you can think of. Now, get with a partner and compare lists Group the instruments on your list and label each group based on certain criteria (which you decide). SHARE!!

This is how WE classify instruments… 6 Classes – Based on HOW sound is produced Aerophones Chordophones Instruments which require air to vibrate Instruments with strings that vibrate Membranophones Electrophones Instruments that have a stretched membrane or hide that vibrates Instruments that require electricity Corpophones Idiophones Human body used as an instrument Instruments whose bodies vibrate when struck or shaken

Aerophones Require air blown into a tube to produce sound Examples:

Membranophones Have a stretched membrane or hide that vibrates Examples:

Idiophones Body must vibrate; must strike something, be struck by something, or be shaken Examples:

Chordophones Has Strings that vibrate Examples:

Electrophones Requires electricity Examples:

Corpophones Uses Human Body as instrument Examples:

Let’s make our own… Everyone grab a rubber band and find a partner. Put the band around both thumbs and stretch the band until it is somewhat taut. Partners, gently pluck the band and listen to what you hear. This is an example of a … CHORDOPHONE

Let’s make our own… Everyone grab a cup and a balloon. Carefully, stretch the balloon across the top of the cup. Strike the stretched balloon with a pencil eraser or pen top. This is an example of a … MEMBRANOPHONE

Let’s make our own… This one is hard… Everyone come to the front and pick up a Kazoo. Blow into the kazoo. You just played an … AEROPHONE

Let’s make our own… Grab a cup with some rice in it. Place your hand over the open edge. Carefully shake the cup. What kind of instrument is this? IDIOPHONE

Let’s make our own… Stand up Hit your stomach with a flat hand. This is an example of a … CORPOPHONE

Which instrument class did we not make an instrument for? ELECTROPHONE Keyboard, Electric Guitar, etc.