Instruments of the orchestra
Students will explore the instruments of the orchestra through a Prezi containing a series of videos.
They will develop deep knowledge of the instruments, their families, expressive techniques and the role of a professional musician.
Outcomes
4.8 demonstrates an understanding of musical concepts through aural identification and discussion of the features of a range of repertoire.
Duration
5-6 lessons.
Focus
Exploring varied sound sources of the four families of instruments within the western symphony orchestra.
Content
The four families of the western symphony orchestra are:
- strings
- woodwinds
- brass
- percussion.
The Orchestra Sway and accompanying prompt sheet (PDF 4.28 MB) will assist in the introduction of the orchestra families and their sound sources for Stage 4 students.
- information and communication technology
- work, employment and enterprise
- literacy
- gender
- environment (life-skills).
Assessment
All activities require students to demonstrate their learning and are all assessment for learning activities.
Teaching and learning activities
Students will:
- observe the Sway The Orchestra
- Refer to the accompanying prompt sheet (PDF 4.28 MB) for assistance.
- discuss the layout of the families. Ask students:
- Who do you think sits in each colour?
- Why do you think they are that size?
- Why do you think they sit in that position?
- The layout of the orchestra (PDF 4.38 MB) worksheet can assist with this.
- observe and discuss:
- the roles and responsibilities of the conductor
- the roles and responsibilities of professional musicians
- the instruments of the string family, including associated expressive techniques-
- pizzicato (featured in the first violin sway video)
- arco (featured in the first violin sway video)
- vibrato (featured in the first violin sway video)
- glissando (featured in second cello sway video).
- the instruments of the woodwind family
- the instruments of the brass family
- the instruments of the percussion family.
Students will:
- learn the names of the instruments of each orchestral family
- learn the metalanguage associated with expressive techniques on string instruments.
Differentiation
Extension
Students could:
- investigate and explore how orchestras and their layouts have changed over the centuries
- investigate and explore the expressive techniques possible on woodwind and brass instruments
Life skills
Outcomes
- LS 4 a student experiments in making musical sounds.
Students could:
- complete a mind map of the instrument families and members of the families:
- strings
- violin
- viola
- cello
- double Bass
- harp and piano are visitors - not regular members
- woodwinds
- flute and piccolo
- oboe
- clarinet
- bassoon
- brass
- trumpet
- french horn
- trombone
- tuba
- percussion
- timpani
- castanets, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, gong, chimes, xylophone (to name a few)
- strings
- read through the information sheet in the resource section on the layout of the orchestra (PDF 4.38 MB). Turn it into a cloze passage if desired.
- watch the YouTube clip on The Vegetable Orchestra Literally Plays with Their Food (02:45) discuss, and make instruments.
Evaluate
Formative feedback – students will contribute to class discussion
Summative feedback – create an account and sign in to Kahoot!. Students will participate in a Kahoot! about the instruments of the orchestra.
Syllabus
Please note:
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Music 7–10 Syllabus (2003) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.