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.