Musical Outlets Instrument Families and Voice Types

Musical OutletsMusical Outlets

Instrument FamiliesInstrument Families

andand

Voice TypesVoice Types

Production of SoundProduction of Sound

The main differences between each The main differences between each family or group are:family or group are: The means through which sound is The means through which sound is

producedproduced The construction of each instrumentThe construction of each instrument

All sound is a product of vibrations.All sound is a product of vibrations.

3 Main Instrument Families3 Main Instrument Families

WindsWindsStringsStringsPercussionPercussion

WindsWinds

Two SubgroupsTwo Subgroups BrassBrass WoodwindsWoodwinds

BrassBrass

Made of metal (traditionally brass)Made of metal (traditionally brass) Uses metal mouthpieces to “buzz” Uses metal mouthpieces to “buzz”

and produce the sound.and produce the sound.

Key Parts:Key Parts: MouthpieceMouthpiece Valves/SlideValves/Slide BellBell

TrumpetTrumpet A. MouthpieceA. Mouthpiece B. Valves (piston)B. Valves (piston) C. BellC. Bell

HornHorn

A. MouthpieceA. Mouthpiece B. Valves (rotary)B. Valves (rotary) C. BellC. Bell

TromboneTrombone

A. MouthpieceA. Mouthpiece B. BellB. Bell C. SlideC. Slide

TubaTuba

A. MouthpieceA. Mouthpiece B. BellB. Bell C. Valves (Rotary C. Valves (Rotary

or Piston)or Piston)

WoodwindsWoodwinds

Made of wood, plastic, or metal Made of wood, plastic, or metal (traditionally wood)(traditionally wood)

Uses a reed (or reeds) to vibrate and Uses a reed (or reeds) to vibrate and produce the sound.produce the sound.

Key Parts:Key Parts: Mouthpiece/Reed(s)Mouthpiece/Reed(s) KeysKeys Most have a bell—but sound comes out of key Most have a bell—but sound comes out of key

holes not bellholes not bell

Flute-THE EXCEPTION!!!Flute-THE EXCEPTION!!!

A. MouthpieceA. Mouthpiece B. Tone Hole (NO B. Tone Hole (NO

REED)REED) C. KeysC. Keys

ClarinetClarinet

A. Mouthpiece (w/ A. Mouthpiece (w/ Reed)Reed)

B. KeysB. Keys C. BellC. Bell

Saxophone Saxophone

A. Mouthpiece (w/ Reed)A. Mouthpiece (w/ Reed) B. KeysB. Keys C. BellC. Bell

Made of MetalMade of Metal Meant to be a Meant to be a

“combination” “combination” instrument to mimic the instrument to mimic the sounds of brass, sounds of brass, woodwinds and the woodwinds and the human voice.human voice.

OboeOboe

A. Double Reed (no A. Double Reed (no mouthpiece)mouthpiece)

B. KeysB. Keys C. BellC. Bell

BassoonBassoon

A. Double Reed (no A. Double Reed (no Mouthpiece)Mouthpiece)

B. BocalB. Bocal C. KeysC. Keys D. BellD. Bell

PercussionPercussion

Any instrument that is struckAny instrument that is struck

Common groups:Common groups: BatteryBattery KeyboardKeyboard AccessoriesAccessories

Battery PercussionBattery Percussion

Battery comes from “Batter” or to beat.Battery comes from “Batter” or to beat. All Have “Heads.” (the one that you hit is the All Have “Heads.” (the one that you hit is the

“batter head.”“batter head.” Definite Pitch or Indefinite PitchDefinite Pitch or Indefinite Pitch

Battery Percussion Battery Percussion ExamplesExamples

Snare DrumSnare Drum Indefinite PitchIndefinite Pitch

Battery Percussion Battery Percussion ExamplesExamples

Timpani (Kettle Timpani (Kettle Drum)Drum) Definite PitchDefinite Pitch Pedal tightens or Pedal tightens or

loosens head to loosens head to change pitch.change pitch.

Loose=LowLoose=Low Tight=HighTight=High

Battery Percussion Battery Percussion ExamplesExamples

Less Common in Less Common in art music, but still art music, but still battery: battery: Traditional “Folk” Traditional “Folk”

DrumsDrums Often Latin, African, Often Latin, African,

Native American, Native American, East AsianEast Asian

Also includes Also includes “Hand” drums“Hand” drums

Keyboard PercussionKeyboard Percussion

Pitched group of instruments that are Pitched group of instruments that are all configured in the same way.all configured in the same way.

The biggest difference is the method The biggest difference is the method of sound production.of sound production. MalletsMallets HandsHands

Keyboard Percussion Keyboard Percussion ExamplesExamples

All keyboard All keyboard percussion percussion instruments are set instruments are set up with the same up with the same arrangement of arrangement of notes using bars or notes using bars or keys.keys.

Keyboard Percussion Keyboard Percussion ExamplesExamples

Bar-Type Keyboards Bar-Type Keyboards use Mallets cause use Mallets cause vibrations.vibrations.

The instrument seen The instrument seen here is the Marimbahere is the Marimba

Others include:Others include: VibraphoneVibraphone XylophoneXylophone GlockenspielGlockenspiel

Keyboard Percussion Keyboard Percussion ExamplesExamples

An additional bar-An additional bar-type example is type example is the chimes.the chimes.

The chimes use a The chimes use a hammer or mallet hammer or mallet to cause the to cause the vibrations.vibrations.

Keyboard Percussion Keyboard Percussion ExamplesExamples

Key-Type Keyboard Key-Type Keyboard Percussion instruments Percussion instruments use hammers, pulls or use hammers, pulls or air to produce the air to produce the vibrations.vibrations.

Each of these are started Each of these are started with your hands with your hands (fingers).(fingers).

This group includes the:This group includes the: PianoPiano HarpsichordHarpsichord OrganOrgan

Accessory PercussionAccessory Percussion

This group, for all intents and This group, for all intents and purposes, consists of “everything purposes, consists of “everything else.”else.”

Just about anything can be an Just about anything can be an accessory percussion instrument.accessory percussion instrument.

Accessory Percussion Accessory Percussion ExamplesExamples

The tambourine The tambourine has a head that has a head that can be struck, can be struck, however the however the “tambourine” “tambourine” sound comes from sound comes from the jingles.the jingles.

Accessory Percussion Accessory Percussion ExamplesExamples

The Triangle:The Triangle:

Accessory Percussion Accessory Percussion ExamplesExamples

The Gong or Tam-The Gong or Tam-Tam (there is a Tam (there is a difference) is difference) is struck with a struck with a mallet, making the mallet, making the whole instrument whole instrument vibrate.vibrate.

Accessory Percussion Accessory Percussion ExamplesExamples

The Maracas, or The Maracas, or any other variety any other variety of “shakers” have of “shakers” have beads, beans, beads, beans, sand, etc., inside of sand, etc., inside of them.them.

What’s vibrating What’s vibrating here?here?

Accessory Percussion Accessory Percussion ExamplesExamples

Use your Use your imagination. imagination.

Other examples Other examples might include:might include: Brake DrumBrake Drum HandsHands ChainsChains WhistleWhistle Jingle BellsJingle Bells Wood Boards (Whip)Wood Boards (Whip)

StringsStrings

Instruments most often produce Instruments most often produce sound through the bowing of strings.sound through the bowing of strings.

Made of wood. The better the quality Made of wood. The better the quality of the wood and the more someone of the wood and the more someone touched it to put it together, the touched it to put it together, the more expensive the cost of the more expensive the cost of the instrument.instrument.

Violin and ViolaViolin and Viola The violin is the smallest of the The violin is the smallest of the

two.two. Largest difference: strings are Largest difference: strings are

tuned differently.tuned differently.

Key Parts:Key Parts: StringsStrings ScrollScroll BridgeBridge ButtonButton BowBow

A.ButtonB.BridgeC.StringsD.Scroll

Violin and ViolaViolin and Viola

E. BowE. Bow

Violin and ViolaViolin and Viola

Close-up of scrollClose-up of scroll

Cello and BassCello and Bass

Size and tuning Size and tuning make them make them different from the different from the violin and viola.violin and viola.

These instruments These instruments are upright are upright instruments that instruments that rest on the ground.rest on the ground.

The Major parts are The Major parts are the same as the the same as the violin and viola.violin and viola.

Instead of button, Instead of button, we have the end we have the end pin or peg (F).pin or peg (F).

The VoiceThe Voice

Basic fact:Basic fact: People Sound DifferentPeople Sound Different

The Human Voice can be changed to The Human Voice can be changed to produce an infinite amount of produce an infinite amount of sounds, with a wide range of pitches.sounds, with a wide range of pitches.

The vocal folds (chords) are vibrating The vocal folds (chords) are vibrating here.here.

The VoiceThe Voice

The 5 most The 5 most common voice common voice types are (highest types are (highest to lowest):to lowest): Soprano (Female)Soprano (Female) Alto (Female)Alto (Female) Tenor (Male)Tenor (Male) Baritone (Male)Baritone (Male) Bass (Male)Bass (Male)

The VoiceThe Voice

Others include:Others include: Mezzo Soprano (Female)Mezzo Soprano (Female) Coloratura (Female)Coloratura (Female) Castrati (Unchanged Male—Assisted)Castrati (Unchanged Male—Assisted)

FineFine