Firstly we are going to make music with our bodies
Try out different things. Clap your hands, click your tongue, beat rhythm on your thighs or stomach, puff your cheeks and tap them - these are just examples.
Try your own ideas. Find interesting ways to use your body and try and put together a short music piece. (you and a friend or two can even work together)
For some inspiration you can watch the video
Movement causes sound
You have now made lots of different sounds by using your body - every sound that you made involved moving a part of your body.
Many musical instruments uses movement (vibration) to make sound.
Think about a guitar. If you pluck the string, it vibrates (moves) and the sound is made louder (amplified) by the air vibrating in the hollow inside of the guitar.
A drum has a thin membrane or skin that is stretched tightly over the opening of something hollow. If you beat on the skin, it will vibrate and make a sound.
If you want to use a trumpet to make sound, you must blow into it. The air inside of the trumpet vibrates and the vibration causes the sounds that you hear.
- So what do we learn from this? Many instruments work because movement causes vibrations which causes sound.
We find some very interesting musical instruments in Africa
In many cultures musical instruments are very important. Different cultures have different instruments and this is part of their tradition.
- What is your culture? What instruments do you or people sharing the same culture as you play?
- Why do all instruments make a sound, no matter how different they are. (your clue - vibration)
Africa has a rich musical culture. Study the pictures below.
Choose any 3 musical instrument and do your own research and read it to learn more about
- which culture uses this specific instrument?
- how is this instrument made?
- how is this instrument played?
- what does it sound like? (find a video to watch)
For fun you can make your own instruments (try and use some trash around the house) You do not have to buy new materials.
Watch the videos for an idea but also use your imagination and create some of your own musical instruments