Music JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 11

European or Western Musical Instruments

Subject: Music

Class: JSS 1

Term: Second Term

Week: 11

Age: 10 – 12 years

Topic: European or Western Musical Instruments

Sub-topic: Types and Families of Western Musical Instruments

Duration: 40 minutes

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Behavioural Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define Western musical instruments.
2. Identify the four families of Western musical instruments.
3. Classify different musical instruments into their respective families.
4. Describe how each type of Western instrument produces sound.
5. Give examples of common Western musical instruments.

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Keywords

• Western Musical Instruments – Instruments originating from Europe.
• String Instruments – Instruments that produce sound by vibrating strings.
• Woodwind Instruments – Instruments that produce sound using air and reeds.
• Brass Instruments – Instruments made of metal that produce sound by buzzing lips.
• Percussion Instruments – Instruments that produce sound when struck or shaken.

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Set Induction

The teacher plays an audio recording of a violin, trumpet, drum, and flute and asks:

• Can you recognize these sounds?
• Do you know the names of the instruments?
• Where do these instruments originate from?

The teacher then explains that these are examples of Western musical instruments.

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Entry Behaviour

Students have seen musical instruments in movies, church, and on TV but may not know their names or classifications.

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Learning Resources and Materials

• Flashcards showing different Western musical instruments.
• Pictures and charts of musical instrument families.
• A keyboard or any available Western instrument for demonstration.
• Audio recordings of various Western instruments.

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Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

• Students have learned about traditional African instruments in previous lessons.
• Today, they will learn about Western musical instruments used in orchestras and concerts.

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Embedded Core Skills

• Critical Thinking – Comparing African and Western musical instruments.
• Listening Skills – Identifying different instrument sounds.
• Observation Skills – Recognizing musical instruments in pictures and videos.

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Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Music
• Basic Music Textbooks for JSS 1
• Audio and Video Clips of Orchestras Playing Western Instruments

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Instructional Materials

• Charts showing different musical instrument families.
• A real or model violin, trumpet, drum, or flute.
• Pictures of orchestras and concerts.

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Lesson Content

What Are Western Musical Instruments?

Western musical instruments are instruments developed in European countries. They are used in orchestras, concerts, and music bands around the world.

Western instruments are grouped into four main families:

1. String Instruments
2. Woodwind Instruments
3. Brass Instruments
4. Percussion Instruments

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1. String Instruments

String instruments produce sound through vibrating strings. They are played by bowing, plucking, or striking the strings.

Types of String Instruments:

A. Bowed Instruments (played with a bow)

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass

B. Plucked Instruments (played by plucking strings)

• Guitar
• Harp
• Banjo
• Zither
• Lute

C. Hammered Instruments (strings are struck with small hammers)

• Piano

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2. Woodwind Instruments

Woodwind instruments produce sound by blowing air into a tube. Some use reeds to create vibration.

Examples of Woodwind Instruments:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Oboe
• Saxophone
• Bassoon

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3. Brass Instruments

Brass instruments are made of metal and produce sound by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece.

Examples of Brass Instruments:

• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Tuba

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4. Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments produce sound by striking, shaking, or scraping.

Examples of Percussion Instruments:

• Drums (Snare drum, Bass drum, Conga, Bongo)
• Tambourine
• Xylophone
• Triangle
• Cymbals

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Evaluation Section

Part A: Multiple-Choice Questions (Fill in the Blanks with Options)

1. Western musical instruments originated from _____.
   a) Africa
   b) Asia
   c) Europe
   d) America

2. Which of the following is a string instrument?
   a) Trumpet
   b) Violin
   c) Saxophone
   d) Flute

3. The flute belongs to the _____ family.
   a) String
   b) Percussion
   c) Woodwind
   d) Brass

4. The tuba is a _____ instrument.
   a) String
   b) Percussion
   c) Brass
   d) Woodwind

5. Which instrument is played by plucking?
   a) Guitar
   b) Trombone
   c) Oboe
   d) Drums

(10 more similar questions included in the lesson material.)

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Part B: Class Activity Discussion (FAQs with Answers)

1. What are Western musical instruments?

   • Instruments developed in European countries.

2. How many families of Western instruments exist?

   • Four families: Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion.

3. Give one example of a bowed string instrument.

   • Violin.

4. How do woodwind instruments produce sound?

   • By blowing air into a tube.

5. What is the main material used for brass instruments?

   • Metal (brass or copper).

(10 more FAQs included in the lesson material.)

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Presentation Structure

1. Revision of Previous Topic:

   • The teacher revises last week’s lesson (Life and Works of Ayo Bankole).

2. Introduction of New Topic:

   • The teacher plays a short audio clip of different musical instruments and asks students to guess their names.

3. Teacher’s Activities:

   • Show pictures and real-life examples of Western instruments.
   • Explain how each type of instrument produces sound.
   • Demonstrate how some instruments are played.

4. Learners’ Activities:

   • Identify instruments from pictures and sounds.
   • Discuss differences between instrument families.
   • Answer questions about instrument classification.

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Assessment (Evaluation Questions – Short Answers)

1. What are Western musical instruments?
2. Name the four families of Western instruments.
3. Give two examples of string instruments.
4. What instrument belongs to the brass family?
5. How does a flute produce sound?
6. What is the difference between woodwind and brass instruments?
7. Name a percussion instrument.
8. Which family does the saxophone belong to?
9. Name a plucked string instrument.
10. What instrument is played with a bow?

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Conclusion

• The teacher marks students’ work and provides feedback.
• The class listens to a musical performance using Western instruments.

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