MIOSM - Lesson Plan: So Many Instruments!

• Identify the four instrumental sections of the orchestra
• View an interactive image of a typical orchestra
• Listen to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
• Listen to individual orchestral sections and the sections as a whole
• Compare and contrast instrument timbre/sounds
• Vocally imitate instrument sounds and qualities
• Contribute to group discussion
• Conduct the orchestra via the web application

TEACHER PREPARATION / MATERIAL NEEDED:

• Computer with internet access and speakers for audio.
• Optional: VHS VCR or DVD player, Television and recorded episode No. 119 "The Green Drops" of Wunderkind Little Amadeus (ask your local PBS station how to receive educational re-recording rights)

PROCEDURE:

1. Introduce the orchestra and the four main instrumental sections via the web application. The four main sections are strings (yellow), woodwinds (blue), brasses (red), percussion (green). Explain that the piano and harp (purple) are sometimes included in orchestral music, but they are not of the four main sections that make up a traditional orchestra.

   Extension: click on each orchestral section to view individual instruments and hear sound clips. For example, in the strings section, click on violin and listen to the sound example.

2. Let's listen to an orchestra! Go to Conduct Your Own Orchestra by clicking on the tab to the left of the orchestra map. Listen to the full orchestra play the main theme of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (26 seconds). Explain to the students that all four main instrument sections played together. Indicate the conductor at the podium in front of the orchestra. Explain that it is the conductor's job to direct the musicians about how fast/slow (tempo), how loud/forte or soft/piano (dynamics) and when to start and stop playing their instruments. Sing the theme, or another song such as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with the children very fast then slow, soft then loud, create a gesture for stop/go and direct the children to respond to your gesture. Allow time for discussion.
3. Mute all four sections by clicking on the speaker below the image. Listen to each section one at a time and identify the group section. Label the instrument groups and invite the children to vocally imitate the sounds they hear.
4. Invite the class to decide which part of the orchestra to hear by clicking on the symbols or the musicians in the picture. You may wish to invite the children to take turns in this process. Compare and contrast the instrument groups such as strings versus percussion (Ex., long, legato sounds versus short, staccato sounds). Instruct half the class to imitate drums while half imitates strings. Repeat with brass and woodwinds. Mix them up and play.
5. Listen to the orchestra again with all the instrument sections playing and invite the students to "conduct" the orchestra.