1. American Instruments Presented by Chris Bee
There are many instruments that make the unique sound of “American” Classical Music. How can name some?
Presented by Chris Bee

2. Instruments have families too!
Woodwinds
Strings
Brass
Percussion
Most instruments in the standard band or orchestra have “families”.
The four major families are . . .
But how do we tell these families apart? It’s all about where the sound comes from and how to make it happen.

3. Who’s Who?? Woodwinds Strings Sound from wood Played with wind
Saxophone, flute clarinet
Strings
Sound from strings
Played with a bow
Violin, Cello, String Bass
WW: Even though some woodwind instruments are made of wood, some are not. That’s not how they get their name. It’s because by “creating wind” the “blows” usually across a small piece of wood, which vibrates, the sound is created. What is the exception to this rule?
STS: The sounds from these instruments come from vibrating strings. We make the strings vibrate by moving a bow (horsehair, carbon or graphite fiber) across the strings.
Images from (The Woodwind Brasswind)

4. Who’s Who (Cont.) Brass Percussion Sound from Brass
Played with lips and air
Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
Percussion
Sound from contact
Use Mallets, sticks or hand
Drums, xylophone, cymbals
Brass instruments are usually made of brass and so in this case are thus named. But in this case, the sound actually comes from the vibrations in the brass “bell” of the instrument. You create this sound by pursing the lips and blow producing a “raspberry” effect. Percussion instruments are simply played by “hitting things in a special way” The sound comes from the “contact” of a mallet, stick or hand. The name broken down comes from the Latin word “percutere” meaning to beat.
Images from (The Woodwind Brasswind)

5. Where’s the sound coming from?
Find my family ! !
How to find the family. . .
Where’s the sound coming from?
How would I play it?
It reminds me of . . .
So when you are learning about a new instrument, what’s the best way to figure out to which family it belongs? Ask yourself these questions and you should be able to figure it out.