After reviewing the elements we have learned so far-rhythm, melody, harmony, & dynamics- we began looking at tone color.
Tone color is what makes two different voices sound different each other. It's the reason you recognize someone's voice on the phone. Instruments also have different tone color. The sound that a violin makes is different from the sound of the trumpet.
The kids had fun identifying the different instruments that they heard in Wagner's Lohengrin, Prelude to Act III & Duke Ellington's C-Jam Blues.
They also sorted the instruments into their different Instrument Families.
Assignment: This week the kids are to create their own instrument, using recycled objects from around the house. Next week they will need to bring it to class. They'll need to share the name of their instrument, which Instrument Family it belongs to, and show us how it's played!
Manchester, NH based fine arts program for homeschool students
