Name:
Date:
4th Grade Build-Your-Own Instrument
Assignment
In fourth grade, we learn a lot about instruments: how they sound, what
they are made of, how they are played, what instrument family they
belong to, what ensembles they are part of and more. For this
assignment, I am asking each student design and build his/her own
instrument. Whatever you choose to build, it must be able to change its
sound in some way. This can be as basic or complex and you desire it
to be. Once the instrument is designed and built, they will need to give
the class some basic information about the instrument.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
 Instrument name
 Instrument family
 What ensembles (music groups) would your instrument play in?
Paragraph 2: Designing, Building, and Performing on Your Instrument
 What is your instrument made from?
 How is your instrument played? How does that determine which instrument
family it belongs in? BE SPECIFIC!!!
 How can you change its sound? (louder/quieter, higher/lower, etc.)
 How is it similar to/different from other instruments in its family?
Paragraph 3: Conclusion
 Restate your instrument’s name
 Tell us something interesting about your instrument (cost to manufacture, size,
weight, sturdiness, etc.)
 Who do you think would enjoy playing your instrument? Why?
Draw a diagram of your instrument
 Draw your instrument to the best of your ability
 Please label any instrument parts
This assignment is due April 14, 2015. At this time, all instruments must be
built and turned in to Mrs. Gowman with the 3 paragraph paper and
instrument diagram as outlined above.
Please feel free to use the following websites to help you in finding ideas and inspiration
for creating your instrument.
 http://www.pinterest.com/maestroclassics/homemade-musical-instruments/
 http://www.atlantasymphony.org/aso/asoassets/downloadcenter/Symphony%20S
treet%20Activity%20Sheets.pdf
 http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Musical-Instruments/
 http://www.buzzfeed.com/verymuchso/12-sweet-diy-instruments-for-cashstrapped-musicians
An example of an instrument diagram…
My Instrument
handle
hollow container
beans (inside)
Name:
Date:
Reminder of the Instrument Families…
The Brass Family
The Percussion Family
 Sound is made by buzzing the lips  The sound is made by striking,
on the mouthpiece and using valves
scraping, or rattling the instrument
or slide.
or by hitting it with a mallet.
 Members of the brass family
 Some instruments have pitch.
include:
 Marimba
 Trumpet
 Metallophone
 French horn
 Timpani
 Trombone
 Some instruments are not pitched.
 Euphonium
 Maracas
 Tuba
 Tambourine
 Cymbals
 Drums
The Woodwind Family
The String Family
 The sound is made by blowing air
across a mouthpiece or by making
a reed vibrate while moving the
keys.
 Members include:
 Flute
 Clarinet
 Saxophone
 Oboe
 English horn
 Bassoon
 Sound is made by bowing,
plucking, or striking a string.
 Instruments found in the orchestra
include:
 Violin
 Viola
 Cello
 Bass
 Other string instruments include:
 Harp
 Guitar, banjo, mandolin,
ukelele
 The piano is a member of the string
and percussion family.
Rubric for Grading Use of class
time for
rough draft
4 points
Class periods are used well in
computer lab to complete project.
I used my outlines and online
resources to complete the project.
Final draft: 1st The introduction gives the name of
the instrument, correctly identifies
paragraph:
the instrument family in which it
introduction
Final draft:
2nd
paragraph
belongs, and names ensembles
which could use the instrument.
An intelligent and organized
discussion of the design and
building process, including how the
instrument’s sound can be made.
A summary is written, including
Final draft:
3rd paragraph personal reflection and an opinion
of who the market for the
- Conclusion
Oral
presentation
instrument is.
The paper uses correct spelling
and grammar.
The paper expresses thoughts
clearly.
Sources are given for ideas that
are not their own.
A neatly drawn diagram of the
instrument is submitted with parts
of the instrument labelled.
Instrument is built and creativity is
shown in design and decoration.
In some way the sound changes.
A 3-5minute statement is given.
Ideas are organized in advance.
Audience
participation
While others are speaking, I am
quiet and attentive.
Final draft:
mechanics
Diagram of
the musical
instrument
Instrument
8 POINTS
2 points
Some class time was used,
but time was wasted in
conversation, in being
unprepared, or in being
distracting to others.
The introduction gives some
of the information, but other
parts are missing or misidentified.
0 points
I did not use class time well.
I got little done in school and
needed to work on the
written portion of the project
at home.
The introduction does not
adequately introduce the
instrument being built.
An organized discussion of
design and building is
made, but some of the
information is missing or
incorrect.
A summary is written
including a personal
reflection.
Only a few elements of the
design and building process
are discussed. The discussion
does not include specifics to
the instrument.
The conclusion does not
summarize the paper.
The paper has a few
spelling or grammar
mistakes.
The paper expresses
thoughts clearly and sources
are given.
The paper has many spelling
or grammar mistakes. The
paper does not express
thoughts clearly. Sources are
not given for ideas that are
not original.
A diagram is submitted.
Parts may or may not be
labelled correctly.
Instrument is built. The
sound of the instrument
cannot be altered.
A 3-5 minute statement is
given. Ideas are poorly
organized. Time is wasted.
The diagram of the
instrument portion of the
assignment is not submitted.
The instrument is not built.
A statement is not prepared.
While others are speaking, I
am not quiet or attentive.
Total (out of 40 points) =