Instrument Families

Instruments are divided into4 FamiliesStringsBrassWoodwindPercussion

Each family has thingsabout how they look or how they are played which make them related. These common things are called characteristics.For example.

StringsHave stringsBody is made of woodHave tuning pegsPluck or bow to make sound

BrassMade of brassBuzz lips to make soundHas valvesTuning slides

WoodwindMade of woodBlow to make soundUses many keysHas a reed

PercussionHit to make soundPitched and non-pitched

HoweverThere are exceptions.

In the Strings Family, for example, sometimes the body of the instrumentis made of wood. not

Strings

Although the harp and banjoHave strings

Have tuning pegsPluck or bow to make sound

The body of the instrumentis not made of woodHave strings

Have tuning pegsPluck or bow to make soundit is made of metal.

In the Brass Family

In the Brass Family,the tromboneMade of brassBuzz lips to make soundTuning slidesbut it doesnt have valves,It has aslide.

In the Woodwind Family, there are many exceptions.Made of woodBlow to make soundUses keysHas a reed

The saxophoneMade of woodBlow to make soundUses keysHas a reedis made of brass

The fluteMade of woodBlow to make soundUses keysHas a reedis also made of brass

andit does not have a reed.

Each instrumentbelongs to the familythat matches the most characteristics.

Give it a try.

To which family does thetrumpet belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsSorry. This instrument doesnt have strings, so it doesnt fit into that family.

Good job!Try another!!

not the WoodwindsIt would need to be an instrument that you blew air into if it were in that family.

not the PercussionOoops! Only instruments that you hit belong in that family.

To which family does theclarinet belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsHint: You press down keys to change the sound on a clarinet, not pluck or bow.

not the BrassHint: You blow into a reed on the clarinet mouthpiece rather than buzz your lips.

Way to go!Take another turn!!

not the PercussionTry again.

To which family does theviolin belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

Yes!Go again!!

not the BrassThe violin has tuning pegs, not tuning slides like a brass instrument would.

not the WoodwindsGood try! The violin is made of wood, but you dont blow to make the sound.

not the PercussionYou could break the violin if you hit it. Try a different answer.

To which family does theflute belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsGo back and look at how the girl is playing the flute. See if that gives you a hint.

not the BrassGood thinking. Although a flute is made of metal, it doesnt have the other characteristics of the brass family. There is a better choice. Try again.

Keep up the good work!

not the PercussionA flute is long and skinny like a drumstick, but it belongs to another family.

To which family does thecello belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

Alright!Keep up the good work!!

not the BrassLook again. From what material is the body of the instrument made?

not the WoodwindsYour getting close.The body is made of wood, but you dont blow to make the sound.

not the PercussionTry another answer.

To which family does thetympani belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsThis instrument doesnt have strings, so it doesnt fit into that family.

not the BrassThere is another family that fits better.See if you can figure it out.

not the WoodwindsA mallet would make a better sound on this instrument than blowing wind.Does that help you?

Yippee!Keep going!!

To which family do themaracas belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsDont give up. Try again.

not the BrassHint: There are little seeds inside a maraca that hit the shell to make the sound.

not the WoodwindsHint: All woodwind instruments can change their pitch from high to low, but maraca always has the same sound which means it is non-pitched.

Good job!Do another!!

To which family does thetrombone belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsI dont see any tuning pegs.Did you? Go back and check.

Yes!Go again!!

not the WoodwindsDoes this one have a reed?

not the PercussionHint: The slide on a trombone makes the pitch change fromLow to High

To which family does thebassoon belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsHint: I see many keys up and down the body of the bassoon.

not the BrassHint: The bassoon has a double reed.

You are correct!Try another!!

not the PercussionSorry!

To which family does thefrench horn belong?A. StringsB. BrassC. WoodwindD. Percussion

not the StringsThe french horn is made of brass, not wood.See if that helps you.

A right answer!You are good!!

not the WoodwindsYour lips buzz together to make the sound. If you only blow, it will just sound like wind.

not the PercussionTry another answer.

Hope you learned a lot about instruments today!

The End