Instruments of the World

6th Grade General MusicMeghann Becker

Wind Instruments

Didgeridoo

• Originates from Australia• played while sitting cross

legged on the ground • a continuous note can be

produced for as long as 20 minutes at a time if the player uses circular breathing

• Made out of wood (eucalyptus)

• accompanies dancing and singing in ceremonial rituals of Aboriginal groups of Australia

Rag Dhun

• Originates from Tibet• Trumpet-type instrument

used in rituals by Tibetan monks

• Sounds a drone for chants

• The largest Rag Dhun is 16 feet long

Algaita

• Originates from Africa• A relative of the oboe• Made out of wood,

leather and brass• Usually only played in

the presence of local rulers

• Algaita players blow up their cheeks when inhaling air to play

Strings

Sitar

• Originates from Southern Asia (India)

• Has 18 or 19 strings• dominant hand is used to

pluck the string using a plectrum (similar to a guitar pick) called the mezrab

• Part of the lute (plucked string instrument with a fretted neck and a deep round back) family

Balalaika

• Originates from Russia• Triangular body• 3 strings• In modern times,

balalaikas come in 6 sizes: piccolo, prima secunda, alto, bass, and contrabass (from smallest to largest)

• Index finger used to sound notes on smaller balalaikas and a plectrum used on larger sizes

Psalmodikon

• Originates from Sweden• One string, played with a

bow• invented to simplify

music in churches and schools

• The frets are marked with a number, so the music could consist of a list of numbers with words to the song printed above them

Percussion

Bodhran (pronounced bow-rahn)

• Originates from Ireland• Made of wood and goat

skin• The right hand uses a

stick called a beater to strike the bodhran while the left hand is positioned in different spots on the opposite side to change the sound

Kotsuzumi

• Originates from Japan• is held on the right

shoulder and the player alters the tone by squeezing the laces

• A variety of the tsuzumi (hourglass-shaped drum)

• Played in koh and kabuki (ancient theatre)

Palo de lluvia

• Originates from Chile• Also known as a

“rainstick”• Made out of dead cacti• The thorns of the cactus

branch are pressed into the hollow shaft to form a spiral pattern

• Filled with desert pebbles

• When turned upside down, the pebbles hit the thorns, making a “rain” sound