Instrument Families of the Symphony Orchestra Percussion Family

Instrument Families of theSymphony Orchestra

PercussionFamily

Click through this Power Point to learn about the instruments of the percussion

family.

Do not complete any of the worksheets yet, that will come later!



The Percussion Family

- Instruments that are sounded by striking, shaking, plucking, or scraping—from Greek word “percuss” meaning “to strike”

those instruments that produce a definite pitch (TUNED)- Add rhythm but also match pitch with other

instruments in the orchestra

--- What are some percussion instruments that do or do not have definite pitch? ---

those that do not (UNTUNED)

- Used for rhythm or special effects

- They can be divided into 2 categories




Percussion instruments: used for rhythm

Bass drum

Snare drum

Wires attached called snares


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/bass-drum.aspx

https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/snare-drum.aspx




Tambourine Castanet


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/tambourine.aspx

https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/castanets.aspx




Triangle

Cymbal

aka “High Hat”


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/triangle.aspx

https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/cymbals.aspx




Gong

Vibraslap


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/gong.aspx



Melody percussion instruments: used for rhythm and match pitch

Timpani Xylophone


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/timpani.aspx

https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/xylophone.aspx




MarimbaGlockenspiel(aka Bells)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0B3CN0qBFc

https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/glockenspiel.aspx




Chimes Celeste(Looks like piano, but has bells instead of strings)


https://www.dsokids.com/listen/by-instrument/chimes.aspx




Concert Grand Piano


NOW WHAT?: Complete the “Information on the Percussion Family”

worksheet using the following slides. (click through for answers or see what you can do on

your own!)

Once you have finished that, work on the Percussion Family worksheet (the one with pictures)

Turn in BOTH worksheets when you are finished


The Percussion Family Worksheet

1. Draw the placement of the percussion family in the symphony orchestra seating chart as shown below:

Shade in this section!


PERCUSSION WORKSHEET:


2. The word “percussion” comes from the Greek word__________. It means to strike on or against. Percussion instruments can be _________, _________,or __________.

percussstruck shaken

scraped



I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra


3. Name the two categories of percussion instruments:

A. _____________ (having no pitch-only playedas rhythm or for special effects)

Untuned

B. ______________________ (having pitch-being ableto match tones with other orchestral instruments)

Tuned





4. List some UNTUNE PERCUSSION instruments (those with no pitch)

A. _________________________B. _________________________C. _________________________D. _________________________E. _________________________F. _________________________G. _________________________

snare drumbass drumtriangletambourinecymbalsgongbongos





5. Which one of the percussion instruments producesa rattling sound due to a set of metal wires on thebottom? ____________________snare drum





4. List some TUNED PERCUSSION instruments(those with pitch; play a tune)

A. _________________________B. _________________________C. _________________________D. _________________________E. _________________________F. _________________________

xylophoneglockenspielcelestachimes (tubular bells)timpanipiano





7. What is the only pitched drum in the orchestra?_______________the timpani

8. How do you raise or lower the pitch on a timpani?____________________________________________By pushing the foot pedal up and down.

9. Which instrument looks like a piano, but has a glockenspiel inside? ______________________the celesta





10. Why is the piano a percussion instrument?_________________________________________________________________________________________

When you press the keys, small hammers inside theinstrument strike the strings.

11. How many keys does a grand piano have? ________88

12. How are the members of the percussion section inthe orchestra different from the other players?_____________________________________________________________They must be able to play a large variety of instruments.





13. How many players handle all the percussion in aregular orchestra? (One of these is always just a timpanist)? ___________4


• Be sure to also complete the Brass Family worksheet in addition to the worksheet you just completed.

• Both are due at the end of the period!


Documents

Instrument Families of the Symphony Orchestra Percussion Family