Musical Instruments

What this unit covers

The unit sits in the Instruments and Voice strand of Music. Most of what you will find is about telling instruments apart: which family they belong to, how they make sound, and how you play them. The resources were made by GoConqr users, so styles vary and you can pick what suits you.

Start with the classification maps

Begin with the mind map INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION. It sets out the three big orchestra families: string, wind and percussion, with bowed and plucked strings underneath. Next, open Classification according to vibrating elements or Universal Classification, which groups instruments by what vibrates, such as idiophones and membranophones. Then look at String instruments, which splits strings into bowed, plucked and struck, naming the violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar and piano.

Move on to families and detail

The Family Instruments (English) map lists brass, percussion and strings side by side, which is handy for a quick overview. There are also many maps on wind, woodwind and string instruments, plus maps on playing techniques, the saxophone and the trombone. Flashcard decks called Musical instruments offer short vocabulary practice.

Practise with quizzes

Quizzes turn the maps into practice. Try these in order:

1. Read a classification map until you can name the families.
2. Take Instruments or Percussion Instruments for a general check.
3. Try the brass and woodwind drills, such as Tuba Fingerings Quiz, Clarinet Fingerings Quiz and Trombone large slide position quiz.
4. Look at the Electric Guitar Quiz if you want guitar parts and effects.

Wrong answers show you which map to reread, then try the quiz again.

Make it your own

Pick one family, work through its map and quiz, then build your own maps or flashcards to fill any gaps you spot.