Instrument Families
These instruments produce sound by using air.
What are aerophones?
This smallest string instrument has the highest pitch.
What is the violin?
This brass instrument uses three valves to change pitch.
What is the trumpet?
Moving the wrist and fingers quickly to make a warm, vibrating sound.
What is vibrato?
A large group of singers performing together.
What is a chorus?
These instruments make sound by vibrating strings.
What are chordophones?
This instrument is slightly larger than the violin and has a warmer tone.
What is the viola?
This brass instrument changes pitch by moving a slide.
What is the trombone?
Plucking the string with a finger instead of using a bow.
What is pizzicato?
A smaller group of singers performing together.
What is a choir?
Instruments that make sound from the material itself.
What are idiophones?
This string instrument is played while seated and provides the bass line.
What is the cello?
The largest and lowest brass instrument.
What is the tuba?
Sliding a finger along a string to create a continuous pitch.
What is a glissando?
Singing without any instrumental accompaniment.
What is a cappella?
Instruments that use a stretched membrane to make sound.
What are membranophones?
This double-reed instrument has a penetrating sound and is often used for solos.
What is the oboe?
This percussion instrument can be tuned by using a foot pedal.
What is the timpani?
The technique of lightly touching a string to produce a high, airy note.
What is harmonics?
A small group of 2–12 players, one on each part.
What is chamber music?
Name all five instrument families in the orchestra.
What are strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and voices?
This woodwind is the largest and lowest member of its family.
What is the bassoon?
These percussion instruments can play melodies rather than just rhythm.
What are tuned percussion instruments (xylophone, marimba, bells)?
When two adjacent notes are played rapidly back and forth.
What is a trill or tremolo?
A Western ensemble with strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
What is a symphony orchestra?