Instruments You Can Play

The String Family

You can play:

• violin - the highest sounding string instrument, and the one most likely to have the melody
• viola - a supporting string that is a challenge because it reads music differently than every other instrument you can learn
• cello - a deeper, richer sounding string instrument

The Woodwind Family

You can play:

• flute - the highest sounding woodwind instrument with a breathy, bird-like sound
• clarinet - the closest in sound and playing technique to the recorder
• alto saxophone - a loud woodwind instrument made of brass which is popular in jazz music

The Brass Family

You can play:

• trumpet - the highest sounding brass instrument, popular in fanfares
• trombone - a lower sounding brass instrument that uses a slide to make sound
• French horn - the lowest sounding brass instrument you can play

The Percussion Family

If you play percussion, you'll play a whole lot of different instruments, which may include:

• snare drum - a drum played with sticks that has spiral metal strings on the bottom that change the sound
• bass drum - a low sounding drum played with a soft mallet
• orchestra bells - similar to a metallophone but with more notes
• small percussion instruments like woodblock, triangle, sandblocks, and claves