Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• WATCH - Watch these two videos to hear what the violin (1:36), double bass (1:45), and harp (1:50) sound like! Can you think of any other instruments that have strings?
• LISTEN - Listen to The Four Seasons: Spring (3:44) by Antonio Vivaldi. This piece of music tells a story about springtime! Watch the video and use the pictures to help you hear different things Vivalidi represented in his music. Do you hear that the music is joyful at the beginning of the piece? Can you hear the birds singing? Can you hear the flowing stream? Do you hear the music change as the “thunderstorm” rolls in?
• LISTEN - Listen to Eine kleine Nachtmusik by W.A. Mozart (4:41). As you listen, think about the following:
  • Do you hear the string instruments?
  • Can you find the STEADY BEAT? Can you tap your knees to the steady beat? Bounce up and down? Rock side to side?
  • What is another way you can MOVE to the music?

Happy exploring!

Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• WATCH - Listen to The Four Seasons: Spring (3:44) by Antonio Vivaldi. This piece of music tells a story about springtime! Watch the video and use the pictures to help you hear different things Vivalidi represented in his music. Do you hear that the music is joyful at the beginning of the piece? Can you hear the birds singing? Can you hear the flowing stream? Do you hear the music change as the “thunderstorm” rolls in?
• LISTEN - Listen to Eine kleine Nachtmusik by W.A. Mozart (4:41). As you listen, think about the following:
  • Do you hear the string instruments?
  • Can you find the STEADY BEAT? Can you tap your knees to the steady beat? Bounce up and down? Rock side to side?
  • What is another way you can MOVE to the music?
  • For an extra challenge, watch the video and try to clap along with the bouncing conductor!
• COMPARE - Look at these instruments from the string family. How are they alike? How are they different?

Happy exploring!

Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• LEARN - Watch Karen Meets the String Family (6:54).
• READ - Read about the violin, viola, and cello.
• LISTEN - Listen to one or more of the performances below. Can you hear the different instruments?
  • Pixar Medley by the Orchid Quintet (5:05)
  • Star Wars Medley (3:31)
  • Ode to Joy by Joyous String Quartet (2:41)
• IMAGINE - Second graders have the opportunity to learn a string instrument starting in third grade. After exploring the violin, viola, and cello through one or more of the above activities, choose an instrument and imagine what it would be like to play it. How would it feel to play that instrument? What music would you like to play? Who would you like to play your instrument for? Think about if you would like to play a string instrument next year and which one you would choose!
• WATCH - How Do String Instruments Make a Sound (8:16)

Happy exploring!

Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• WATCH - Music Minute: String Family (1:17)
  • This video shows you some of the main instruments in the string family. Look at the different sizes and listen to the sound they each produce.
• LEARN - The String Family (2:03)
  • These string instruments come in different sizes. In size order, from smallest to largest are the violin, viola, cello, and bass. The smallest instrument, the violin, sounds the highest in pitch and the largest instrument, the bass, sounds the lowest in pitch.
  • Which string instrument would you like to play? These are only a few of the many instruments that are in the string family. Which instrument sounds the most pleasing to you?
• WATCH - Youngest String Quartet Ever: Firework (1:38)
  • This string quartet has performed all over the world and on many television programs. They are very famous because they are the youngest performers for a string quartet. This string quartet is made up of two violins, one cello and one bass. Which instrument is your favorite in this video?
• WATCH - Violin Family Sound:s Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass (1:49)
  • Watch this video and hear the different sounds that these string instruments make. Can you hear the difference between each instrument? Are they all played the same way? Why do you think the cello and double bass cannot be held the same way as the violin and the viola?

Happy exploring!

Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• LEARN - How Do String Instruments Make a Sound (8:16)
  • There are many instruments that are categorized as string instruments. Many of you play or may have played a string instrument before. In this video clip the host and hostess will discuss how various string instruments work.
• LISTEN - Here are several string instruments. Listen to each and compare the sounds. How are they similar? How are they different?
  • Violin (2:43)
  • Viola (2:55)
  • Cello (6:30)
  • Double Bass (2:04)
• WATCH - Enjoy performances by different string ensembles. Can you name the instruments being used in each performance? Do some performances use the same combination of instruments? If so, how are they different?
  • The Skye Boat Song (2:32)
  • Bad Guy (1:51)
  • The Pink Panther (3:11)
  • The Swan Project (4:57)
• BONUS PERFORMANCE! May the 4th be with you! (1:53)

Happy exploring!

Music:

This week we will be exploring string instruments. Choose one or two of these activities to explore throughout the week:

• LEARN - Instruments of the String Family (2:03). How does a violin work? (1:18)
• LISTEN - Here are several string instruments. Listen to each and compare the sounds. How are they similar? How are they different?
  • Violin (2:43)
  • Viola (2:55)
  • Cello (6:30)
  • Double Bass (2:04)
  • Harp (4:12)
• WATCH - See if you can recognize the instruments being used in the performances below. Name the different instrument combinations in each performance.
  • Firework (1:38)
  • The Swan Project (4:57)
  • Bad Guy (1:50)
  • Movie Studio Intros (1:32)
• IMAGINE - Many of you play or have played an instrument. Sometimes we can be creative with our instruments through improvisation, interpretation, or by creating sound effects. Here are a few examples of each!
  • Jazz Violin (3:28)
  • Music of Wii (2:15)
  • Sound Effects on the Violin (5:27)
• If you are interested in watching more virtual performances check out #songsofcomfort. You’ll find more performances like this one on the Harp!
• THINK - What are some other instruments that also have strings? Does every string instrument have the same amount of strings? Are all string instruments acoustic? Are there any electric string instruments?
• BONUS PERFORMANCE! May the 4th be with you! (1:53)

Happy exploring!

Take your music learning further with these great resources:

• TED ED - [LINK] Here’s a playlist of all the TED ED talks about music on YouTube. These are best used by upper elementary and high school students.
• Mario Paint Composer - [LINK] This site enables students to create their own 8-bit music that sounds like it’s from an actual Super Nintendo video game. Students can also download their song as an mp3 to keep or to share. A great music writing site for all ages.
• Folk Ways - [LINK] A great site for upper elementary to high school students interested in world music!
• DSO Kids - [LINK] Dallas Symphony Orchestra website for students of all ages. It has pages for different composers and instruments including video and audio clips. Also has activities for students including coloring pages, practice tips, and ideas for making your own instrument.
• Classics for Kids - [LINK] Classical music for elementary music. Site includes music and information on composers, quizzes, games, and activities students can do at home.
• Brain Pop - [LINK] Great video resources about musical genres, making music, and MORE! Great for elementary - middle school.
• Teoria - [LINK] Ear training and theory resources for more advanced students.
• Rhythm Randomizer - [LINK] Here students can practice reading rhythms. Students can choose different note and rest values and the site will randomly generate new sight-reading exercises.