Classification of Instruments

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Classification of Instruments
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Classification of InstrumentsIn music, there are
five different types of instruments. Every
instrument that is played falls into one of these
five categories. They are

• Aerophones
• Chordophones
• Idiophones
• Membranophones
• Electrophones

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Aerophone Instruments

• An aerophone produces its sound by the vibration
  of
• The two main families that are aerophones are
  woodwind and brass instruments.
• Woodwinds use the air and reeds to vibrate.
• Brass use air and the players lips to vibrate.
• Some keyboard instruments also use air as
• the source of vibration and can be considered
• aerophones.
• Can you name any Aerophones?

air
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Chordophone Instruments

• Chordophones are part of the string instrument
  family.
• They produce sound by the vibrating of
• To make the sounds pluck, bow or strike the
  strings.
• This is done by a pick, bow or the musicians
  hand.
• Can you name any Chordophones?

Strings
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Electrophone Instruments

• This is the newest category of instruments. They
  have only been around since the 20th century.
• Electrophones produce an electronic sound.
• The two main families of electrophones are
  electronic instruments and amplified acoustical
  instruments.
• What are some Electrophones that you have heard?

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Membranophone Instruments
Membranophones produce sound when a stretched
skin (membrane) vibrates.

• Different materials can be used to make
  membranophones, some include wood, metal, or
  ceramics.
• These instruments may have definite or indefinite
  pitch. What does this mean?
• These belong to the percussion family. How many
  different kinds of drums do you know?

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Idiophone Instruments

• Idiophones produce a sound by the vibration of
  the actual instrument itself.
• These instruments can be struck, rubbed, shaken
  or plucked.
• This category belongs to the percussion family.
• How many can you name?

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Lets Review

• Instruments can be classified into what
• 5 categories?
• Aerophones produce sound by the vibration of
  what?
• Chordophones produce sound by the vibration of
  what?
• Electrophones produce what kind of sounds?
• Membranophones produce sound by vibrating what?
• Idiophones use the vibration of what?
• Can you give examples of each category?

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Instrument Match

• Aerophone
• Chordophone
• Idiophone
• Membranophone
• Electrophone

• Flute
• Conga
• Mandolin
• Synthesizer
• Pipe Organ
• Timpani
• Guiro
• Amplified Acoustic Guitar
• Castinets
• Cello