Activity
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad: Build: Build an Instrument

For Students K - 1st
This challenge is to build a four-stringed musical instrument that can play a tune on different pitches.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Do Re Mi With Straws

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out this fun science fair project about the physics of musical sound production. Here you will make musical instruments with drinking straws, one for each note on a one-octave major scale. You will figure out the right lengths for...
Activity
Staten Island Children's Museum

Staten Island Children's Museum: Music Camp at Home

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Enjoy doing these outdoor activities with your family such as making a Guiro or kazoo, or learning how to play the flute.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: Violin Playing Basics

For Students 1st - 9th
A site exploring the basics of playing the violin which is one of the most popular string musical instruments.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Music for Kids: Guitar

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about the popular string instrument the guitar. Types of guitars, different parts, how to play, and more.
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Tambourine

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of the orchestra, the tambourine in particular. Learn what it is made of and how it is played. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the tambourine alone and with the...
Article
Other

Leather Puppets of India

For Students 3rd - 8th
Use this site to learn about the fascinating world of Gypsy-made leather puppets. This nomadic tribe is always on the move carrying their puppets and musical instruments seeking permission from village leaders to perform for monetary...
Activity
San Diego State University

Orchestration

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Through playing "Orchestration," students learn about each instrument and the group to which it belongs. Actual instruments should be shown and demonstrated in class prior to playing the game. Create this fun card game for your music...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Don't You Fret! Standing Waves on a Guitar

For Students 9th - 10th
In this project, you will investigate the physics of standing waves on guitar strings. You will learn about the different modes (i.e., patterns) of vibration that can be produced on a string, and you will figure out how to produce the...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: How to Make a Guitar Sing

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a great project for musicians interested in the physics of stringed instruments. If you have ever played an acoustic guitar, you may have noticed that picking a single string can make one or more of the other (unpicked) strings...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Cymbals

For Students 3rd - 5th
Learn about the ways to play the cymbals and how they contribute to the sound of the orchestra. Use RealAudio to listen to cymbals alone and with the orchestra. Pictures of the instrument are also provided.
Article
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.
Website
Other

Online Trombone Journal

For Students 9th - 10th
The Online Trombone Journal is "a volunteer organization dedicated to providing free access to quality information about the trombone and the people who play it."
Article
Other

Pay the Piper: The Flute

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about playing the flute at this website, which is geared toward young students who are thinking about playing a musical instrument. Includes background information on this woodwind, and links to more information.