1. Instrument Families and Classifications Overview
Kenneth Beck
Enterprise High School

2. 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!!

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

4. Aerophones
Require air blown into a tube to produce sound
Examples:

5. Membranophones Have a stretched membrane or hide that vibrates
Examples:

6. Idiophones
Body must vibrate; must strike something, be struck by something, or be shaken
Examples:

7. Chordophones
Has Strings that vibrate
Examples:

8. Electrophones
Requires electricity
Examples:

9. Corpophones
Uses Human Body as instrument
Examples:

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

14. 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

15. Let’s make our own… Stand up Hit your stomach with a flat hand.
This is an example of a …
CORPOPHONE

16. Which instrument class did we not make an instrument for?
ELECTROPHONE
Keyboard, Electric Guitar, etc.