1. Musical Instruments
Grade Nine Music

2. The Families…
Brass
Woodwind
String
Percussion
Electric

3. Brass
This family of instruments is part of the AEROPHONES – instruments that require the player to use AIR, sending it through tubes that are a variety of lengths and widths.
To make a sound you must ‘buzz’ your lips into a cupped mouthpiece, vibrating the air and sending a sound through the instrument.
Includes instruments like:
Trumpet
Trombone
Horn
Tuba
Euphonium
Baritone

4. Brass Ranges…
Trumpet
Trombone
Horn
Tuba

5. Woodwind This group of instruments is also part of the AEROPHONES.
This family includes:
Flute
Clarinet – single reed
Saxophone – single reed
Oboe – double reed
Bassoon – double reed
To make a sound the player must place the reed/mouthpiece into their mouth. The air they blow into the instrument vibrates the reed which vibrates the air sending a sound through the instrument.

6. Woodwind Ranges…
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Bassoon

7. String
String instruments are CHORDOPHONES – instruments that make sound by vibrating a string stretched over two points.
Playing this instrument requires plucking or pulling a bow across the string to make it vibrate. When the string vibrates, the air surrounding it vibrates creating the sound that we hear.
Members of this family are:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass/String Bass
Harp
Acoustic guitar

8. String Ranges…
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass

9. Percussion
Percussion instruments fall into two categories – IDIOPHONES and MEMBRANOPHONES. These instruments are either shaken, scraped or hit.
This family includes instruments like:
Snare drum
Bass drum
Timpani
Cymbals
Tambourine
Piano
Vibraphone (vibes)
Chimes
When playing this instrument when the instrument is struck the drum head or shell of the instrument vibrates, vibrating the air which creates the sound that we hear.

10. Electric
This family of instruments are considered ELECTROPHONES – instruments that depend on electricity to make their sound.
Instruments in this family include:
Electric guitar
Electric bass
Synthesizer