Percussion Instruments

Hello Music Appreciation Students!

This week, you will listen to two different videos.

Video 1 - Percussion Section
In the first video of the Percussion section, you will see the following instruments (among others):

• Timpani
• Bells (Glockenspiel)
• Bass Drum
• Crash Cymbals

For the four instruments above, describe how each sounds, and how it looks.

Video 2 - Drum Set
Explain what makes this musical piece interesting, even though there is no melody.

Rubric:
You commented with your name - 20 pts.
You described the appearance of four instruments - 20 pts.
You described the sound of four instruments - 20 pts.
You explained what made the drum set piece interesting - 20 pts.
You used excellent grammar and spelling - 20 pts.

If you are not able to view the videos to the right, here are the URL's:
Percussion Section:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOIoGJ57GXc

Drum Set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqHd6FLkhTM&feature=related

Please complete this assignment by Monday, September 27, in order to earn full credit.

Non-Traditional Rhythm Instruments

Hello class,

This week, you will watch just two videos you see to the right - another stomp video, and a video of the Blue Man Group.

As you listen, think about the rhythms that you hear and see. Use at least 5 of the words you see here. When you use them, make sure you show that you understand what the words mean.
improvisation
solo
ostinato
rhythm
syncopation
accent
coordination
meter
beat
Write 2 paragraphs (at least three sentences in each) - one about Stomp, and one about the Blue Man Group.

Make sure to comment on this blog by Monday, September 20 in order to receive full credit.

Rubric:
20 pts. You wrote a comment!
20 pts. You used correct grammar, punctuation, capital letters, etc.
20 pts. paragraph one about Stomp (at least 3 sentences)
20 pts. paragraph two about the Blue Man Group (at least 3 sentences)
20 pts. 5 of the above words were used correctly

If you cannot see the videos, here are the URL's
Stomp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu15Ou-jKM0
Blue Man Group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOL8-qIYemg

String Instruments

Hello class,
This week, you will listen to FOUR videos to the right. As you listen, you should think about how the timbre (the tone color) and pitch (highness/lowness) of the instruments are different. Also, you need to think about the style of music that you are hearing.

Here are some good timbre words:
light or heavy; dark or bright; breathy; punchy; clear; focussed or unfocussed; piercing; harsh; warm; mellow; resonant; flat; vibrato (do you hear it vibrating?) or no vibrato

Write 8 sentences: One sentence about each instrument that describes how it is uniquely different than the other three, and another sentence that describes the style of music that the instrument is playing.

Rubric:
20 pts - Students commented correctly using the blog, and included their name.
20 pts - Students comment on pitch of different instruments.
20 pts - Students correctly comment on the timbre of different instruments.
20 pts - Students correctly comment on the style of the music that each instrument is playing.
20 pts - Students used correct grammar and spelling.

Please write and submit your post for this assignment by Monday, September 13 for full credit.

In case you can't watch the videos to the right, here are the URL's for the videos:
Violin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Xt-XeWnHM
Viola: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzduecTEjiQ&feature=fvw

Cello: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GczSTQ2nv94
String Bass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Hx0VfUbTw