Mathematics and Society - OS X Lion Server

INsTQUMt;NTSWIT~(PAGe 2.)[LRSSHave the students give the names of familiar musical instruments while one studentlists them on the board. Other instruments can be added to the list as students thinkof them. Have band or orchestra students bring their instruments so the instrumentscan be compared. The pictures on the following pages could be used as a substitute forthe actual instruments. Pick two of the instruments and have students describe how theyare alike and different. You might want to list these similarities and differences onthe board. For example, a trumpet and a trombone both start with "tr", are (probably)gold colored and are called "brass instruments." A trumpet is smaller than a tromboneand a trumpet can play higher notes than a trombone. A violin and a trumpet are bothsmall, but one is a stringed instrument while the other is brass.Discussions continue until students realize that certain instruments--based on theirattributes--can or cannot be members of select groups. For example, a trombone cannotbe in a woodwind trio, but it can be in a brass quartet. If recognition of the instrumentsis a problem, pictures could be put on the bulletin board, along with the threemain classification lists. Cassette recordings of each instrument could also be playedto he'·, familiarize students with their sounds. See if they can recognize 2 differentinstruments playing at the same time.At some point suggest that the students decide on a listing of several ways to classifyall instruments. Common but simple classification could be this:SIZE:SOUND:TYPE:large, medium, smalltreble, bass, full range, non-tonalwoodwind, brass, string, percussion,electronicSize will be the most commonly argued. A trombone may seem large or medium sized,depending on what other instrument they are compared to. "Sound" is usually agreed asthe pitch of the majority of its notes, not the clef from which the students read music.Ask for methods to arrive at a standard by which size can be judged. One suggestion isto start with a listing that they do agree on:small---flutepiccolomediumsaxophonelargebass drumpianotubaorgan275