ACADEMIC DECATHLON

The Fundamentals of AP Music Theory

By Sabino Otero

FAMILIES OF INSTRUMENTS

A

ll instruments are included under a certain family of

instruments

STRING INSTRUMENTS

C

ordophones: Things with bows or plucks, such as

Cello, Violin, or Bass.

BRASS INSTRUMENTS

M

etal Aerophones: Buzzes vibrate air columns. These

instruments consist of trumpets, trombones,

didgeridoo etc.

WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS

A

erophones: Any Aerophones that require the player

to breath through it in order to vibrate the air

column. These are recorders, clarinets and flutes.

PERCUSSION

M

embranophones and Idiophones: Instruments that

are physically struck with objects; drums,

drombones, and really… just about anything that you

can beat loudly to make music. (Requires little actual

talent to play.)

KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS

A

nything with keys, really. Piano, keyboard…. Piano…

keyboard…