Teaching resources

Overview:

In this unit, students engage with the technology of musical instruments and the design challenges involved in making them. Initially they analyse a number of instruments, use the knowledge they've gained to design and construct their own instrument and finally evaluate its success.

Supporting documents:

Musical instruments - unit plan (Microsoft® Word 55k)

Design challenge (Microsoft® Word 32k)

Instrument analysis (Microsoft® Word 28k)

Design solutions (Microsoft® Word 26k)

Musical instrument evaluation (Microsoft® Word 26k)

Some simple instrument designs:

Making a reed instrument (Microsoft® Word 25k)

Making a stringed instrument (Microsoft® Word 39k)

Making a flute (Microsoft® Word 28k)

Some students' instruments:

www.mms.qld.edu.au/student-instruments

Useful links:

www.oddmusic.com Check out some amazing instruments in the Image and Sound galleries.

www.music.indiana.edu/music_resources/instr.html Links to many kinds of instruments and their players, from accordians to woodwinds.

The Sound Site at the Science Museum of Minnesota has some great hands-on activities