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