Catherine Johnson

5 November 2005

Webdropin #5

 

 

                             5 Miscellaneous Music Activities – Middle School

                                       Non-Traditional Music Instruments

 

Activity #1

 

Banjo

You are interested in taking banjo lessons, but don’t know where to start, or even what a banjo is.

 

Visit these sites: Banjo.com – www.banjo.com

Wikipedia’s Banjo definition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo

                   The Music Teacher’s List - http://www.teachlist.com/

                   The Banjo Hangout - http://www.banjohangout.org/

 

Answer the following questions:

 

1) What is a banjo?

2) Where can I find a banjo teacher in my area?

3) Where can I buy a banjo and how much do they cost?

 

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Activity #2

 

The Harp and Music Thanatology

Look at this site: Harp - http://www.yotor.com/wiki/en/ha/Harp.htm

And also this: What is Music Thanatology? - http://www.music-thanatologyassociation.com/NewFiles/What%20is%20music%20Thanatology.html

1) Where did the harp come from?  (in a complete sentence)

2) What is Music Thanagology?  Do you think you could work in this profession?  Why or why not?

 

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Activity #3

 

Lute

 

First check out what a lute is at Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lute

And Lute - http://www.yotor.com/wiki/en/lu/Lute.htm

Then in the chart, list 4 composers for the lute, and 4 interesting facts about it.

Composers for the Lute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Interesting facts

 

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Activity #4

 

Harpsichord vs. Piano

 vs.

 

Wikipedia’s Piano - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano

Wikipedia’s Harpsichord - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpsichord

 

List some differences between the piano and the harp.  I’ll start you off.

 

Harpsichord                                                                              Piano

The Harpsichord is a Baroque instrument, and its strings            The piano is a more modern instrument with a louder dynamic range                                                                                                            were plucked.                                                                          Whose strings were hit by hammers, not plucked.

 

 

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Activity #5

 

Mandolin

I want you to find an instrument that you think is the closest to the Mandolin.  (Hint: It would definitely be another string instrument)

Explain why you think it’s closest.

Could it be a Guitar?

 

Or a ukulele?

 

Celtic Music Instruments - http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/#frets

Mandolin Café - http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/howtotell.html#MANDO

 

 

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