Instrument Families

The performer vibrates the strings of the instrument by using a bow or by plucking or strumming the strings.

• Strings family

• Woodwind family

The performer blows into the instrument, splitting the flow of air by using a mouthpiece or a reed.

• Brass family

• Percussion family

• Woodwind family

The performer uses an embouchure and the mouthpiece to vibrate the air that is blown through the tubing.

• Brass family

• Strings family

• Percussion family

The performer strikes, hits, rubs, or shakes the instrument.

• Percussion family

• String family

What instruments make up the strings family?

• trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba

• violin, viola, cello, bass

• flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone

What do you use to make the strings vibrate on a strings instrument?

• Bow

• Hair

What is the name of the thin piece of wood that some woodwind instruments need in order to produce sound?

• mouthpiece

• valves

• reed

Which woodwind instrument is the only instrument in that family that is made out of brass?

• clarinet

• flute

• saxophone

How do the tones of the clarinet and oboe sound different?

Which brass instrument has a slide instead of valves to change the length of the tubing?

• t

• tuba

• trumpet