Exploring Musical Instruments: Learn the Five Categories Cultural and Creative Arts Primary 5 Third Term Lesson Notes Week 2
Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: Primary 5
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Topic: Exploring Musical Instruments
Sub-topic: Understanding the Hornbostel-Sachs Classification System
Duration: 1 hour
Behavioural Objectives:
- By the end of the lesson, students should be able to identify and classify musical instruments into the five categories of percussion, woodwind, string, brass, and keyboard.
- Students will learn key vocabulary words related to musical instruments and their classification.
Key Vocabulary Words:
- Percussion
- Woodwind
- String
- Brass
- Keyboard
- Hornbostel-Sachs system
- Classification
- Characteristics
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Pictures or actual examples of musical instruments from each category
- Whiteboard and markers
- Textbook or handouts explaining the Hornbostel-Sachs system
Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge:
- Begin by asking students if they have ever played or seen different musical instruments. Allow them to share their experiences and observations.
- Relate the discussion to the previous lessons on music and sound.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Classification skills
- Listening and observation skills
Content:
Classification of Musical Instruments
- Percussion Instruments: These make sounds when they’re hit, shaken, or rubbed. Examples include drums 🥁, tambourines, and xylophones.
- Woodwind Instruments: They produce sounds when air is blown into them. Examples are flutes 🎶, clarinets, and saxophones.
- String Instruments: These make sounds when their strings are plucked, strummed, or bowed. Examples are guitars 🎸, violins, and cellos.
- Brass Instruments: They produce sounds when air is blown into them and the lips vibrate. Examples include trumpets 🎺, trombones, and tubas.
- Keyboard Instruments: These produce sounds when keys are pressed. Examples include pianos 🎹, organs, and synthesizers.
These categories help us understand different kinds of instruments and how they create music. 🎵
Class Activity Discussion
- What are the five categories of musical instruments?
- The five categories are percussion, woodwind, string, brass, and keyboard.
- How are these categories decided?
- They’re based on how the instruments sound and how they make those sounds.
- What does the Hornbostel-Sachs system do?
- It helps classify instruments into these categories.
- Can you give examples of percussion instruments?
- Sure! Drums, tambourines, and xylophones are some examples.
- How do woodwind instruments make sounds?
- They make sounds when you blow air into them.
- What are some examples of woodwind instruments?
- Flutes, clarinets, and saxophones are some examples.
- How do string instruments produce sounds?
- They make sounds when their strings are plucked, strummed, or bowed.
- Can you name some string instruments?
- Certainly! Guitars, violins, and cellos are some examples.
- What happens in brass instruments to create sounds?
- Air is blown into them, and the lips vibrate to make sounds.
- Give examples of brass instruments.
- Trumpets, trombones, and tubas are examples of brass instruments.
- How do keyboard instruments work?
- They produce sounds when you press keys.
- What are some examples of keyboard instruments?
- Pianos, organs, and synthesizers are common examples.
- What makes percussion instruments different from others?
- They make sounds when they’re hit, shaken, or rubbed.
- How are woodwind instruments different from other types?
- They produce sounds when air is blown into them.
- What’s unique about string instruments compared to others?
- They create sounds by plucking, strumming, or bowing their strings
Evaluation
- Which category of instruments produces sounds by hitting, shaking, or rubbing? a) Percussion b) Woodwind c) String d) Brass
- Woodwind instruments make sounds when: a) Strings are plucked b) Air is blown into them c) They are hit d) They are rubbed
- String instruments create sounds when their strings are: a) Blown b) Strummed c) Hit d) Shaken
- What produces sounds in brass instruments? a) Keys b) Strings c) Lips vibrating d) Air blowing over reeds
- Which instruments produce sounds by pressing keys? a) Brass b) String c) Percussion d) Keyboard
- The Hornbostel-Sachs system categorizes instruments based on their: a) Colors b) Sounds and characteristics c) Sizes d) Shapes
- Which category of instruments includes drums and tambourines? a) Brass b) Percussion c) Woodwind d) String
- Flutes and clarinets belong to which category of instruments? a) Brass b) Woodwind c) Keyboard d) Percussion
- Guitars and violins are examples of: a) Percussion instruments b) Woodwind instruments c) String instruments d) Brass instruments
- What do brass instruments require to produce sounds? a) Strings b) Lips vibrating c) Air blown over reeds d) Keys pressed
- Tubas and trumpets are part of the category of: a) Brass instruments b) Percussion instruments c) Woodwind instruments d) String instruments
- What is blown into woodwind instruments to produce sounds? a) Water b) Air c) Sand d) Oil
- Keyboards produce sounds when: a) Strings are plucked b) Air is blown into them c) Keys are pressed d) They are hit
- Which category of instruments involves pressing keys? a) Percussion b) Brass c) Keyboard d) Woodwind
- The Hornbostel-Sachs system helps classify instruments based on their: a) Prices b) Sounds and how they are produced c) Shapes and colors d) Sizes and weights
Presentation:
Step 1:
- The teacher revises the previous topic, which was about the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Step 2:
- The teacher introduces the new topic by explaining that there are five main categories of musical instruments: percussion, woodwind, string, brass, and keyboard.
- Show pictures or examples of instruments from each category and briefly explain their characteristics.
Step 3:
- The teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and encourages them to identify the instruments shown.
- Correct the students where necessary and provide additional information about each instrument category.
Teacher’s Activities:
- Guide the students through the classification of musical instruments.
- Explain the characteristics of each category and how sounds are produced.
Learners’ Activities:
- Listen to the teacher’s explanations.
- Identify and classify musical instruments into categories.
- Ask questions and participate in discussions.
Assessment:
- Observe students’ participation and understanding during class activities.
- Ask individual students to identify and classify instruments correctly.
Evaluation Questions:
- What are the five categories of musical instruments?
- How do percussion instruments produce sounds?
- Give an example of a woodwind instrument.
- How are string instruments different from other categories?
- What is blown into brass instruments to create sounds?
- Name two keyboard instruments.
- What does the Hornbostel-Sachs system help classify?
- What are some key vocabulary words related to musical instruments?
- Can you identify a musical instrument from each category?
- How do you classify instruments based on their sounds and characteristics?
Conclusion:
- The teacher goes round to mark and correct any mistakes made by the students during the lesson.
- Recap the key points covered and encourage students to continue exploring and learning about musical instruments.
