Year 7
Music
Home
Learning
Project
Name …............................................................. Form…………..
Music Class ….................. Music Teacher………………………….
You have 3 weeks to complete this home learning project. You must hand it in by:
__________________________________________________________________________
The expected outcome of the home learning project and classwork in this half-term is that you
will be able to show your understanding of the orchestra and how it has developed through time
from the orchestras of long ago to the orchestras we have today. You will be able to identify
instrument families and individual instruments by learning about their important features, for
example how they are played, what they are made of and what they look and sound like . You
will show your knowledge and understanding of the brass section by composing a fanfare.
Tick each task when you have completed it!
Task 1
How Is An Orchestra Organised?
Task 2
How Have Orchestras Changed?
Task 3
Who Is In The String Family?
Task 4
Who Is In The Woodwind Family?
Task 5
Who Is In The Brass Family?
Task 6
Who Is In The Percussion Family?
Task 7
Who Are The Most Important Orchestra Members?
Task 8
Which Famous Orchestras Can You Name?
Task 9
What's Your Favourite Instrument?
Task 10 What Will You Invent?
Task 11 What Have You Learned?
Task 12 Just For Fun….Instrument Wordsearch
Useful websites for you to explore:
http://www.dsokids.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/guide/
http://orchestra.jwjonline.net
http://www.soundjunction.org/
Task 1: How is an orchestra organised?
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

Follow the instructions very carefully to complete the orchestra layout.
Use a pencil to write the name of each instrument in the correct space. When you are happy with your
work write the names in pen.
Colour the sections in the correct colour (you will need red, yellow, green and blue pencils).
Task 2: How Have Orchestras Changed?
This is the layout of an orchestra from the 1600's-1700's, when composers like Bach and
Handel were around. This period of time was called the Baroque period (roughly 1600-1750).
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Compare the Baroque orchestra to the modern orchestra in task 1.
Name 5 differences between the Baroque orchestra and the modern orchestra
1) ______________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________
4) _____________________________________________________________________________
5) _____________________________________________________________________________
Extension Task: Find out what a harpsichord is and write a description below. You could also
draw or glue in a small picture of one if you want.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Task 3: Who is in the String family?
There are 4 main string instruments in the orchestra.
Name them in order of size from smallest to largest:
1) _____________________
2) _____________________
3) _____________________
4) _____________________
What are the two different ways you can make sound from a string instrument?
1) _______________________
2) _______________________
Which other very large string instrument is sometimes
found in the orchestra and how is It played??
______________________________________________________________________________
Label this violin using the words in the box:
Extension task: Can you think of the names of any other instruments that have strings but do
not play in an orchestra?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Task 4: Who is in the Woodwind family?
There are 6 main woodwind instruments in the orchestra:
clarinet, bassoon, flute, bass clarinet, oboe, piccolo and English horn
Label the pictures correctly with the name of each instrument.
All woodwind instruments produce sound by blowing into the mouthpiece. Some have a small
piece of wood called a “reed” on the mouthpiece. Put each instrument into one of the columns.
Single reed
Double reed
No reed
Extension task: A new woodwind instrument was invented in Belgium in the 1840’s. It is not
normally used in the orchestra; it is more often used in jazz and popular music. What is the
name of the instrument and who invented it? _________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Task 5: Who is in the Brass family?
1) There are four types of brass instrument in an orchestra, ___________, ___________,
____________________, and ___________.
2) The _____________ is the highest pitched instrument in the brass section.
3) Brass players can put a ____________ in the bell of their instrument to make the sound
softer and quieter.
5) Most orchestras have three trombones, two ___________ and one __________.
6) The trombone is easily recognised by its ______________.
7) The _____________ is lower than even the bass trombone.
8) The tuba is a very large instrument, but does not make a very
________________________.
Fill in the missing words in the sentences above.
SOME WORDS ARE USED MORE THAN ONCE.
tubas
French horns
big sound
tuba
trumpet
trumpets
slide
mute
trombones
Name 3 things all brass instruments have in common
1) ______________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________
Which brass instrument do you think is the odd one out and why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Extension task: If you uncurled out a French horn how long would the tubing be? Find out!
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Task 6: Who is in the Percussion family?
1) There are 2 types of percussion instrument – tuned (or pitched) and untuned (or unpitched).
What is the difference between the two types?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Label these instruments as tuned or untuned.
Triangle =
Xylophone =
Bass drum =
Snare drum =
Glockenspiel =
Cymbals =
Tubular bells =
3) Name 3 ways to produce sound from a percussion instrument:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
4) Why is the percussion section always at the back of the orchestra?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Extension task: One of the most famous percussionists in the world is Evelyn Glennie. Find out
3 facts about her. _________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Task 7: Who Are The Most Important Orchestra Members?
One of the most important people in an orchestra does not even play an instrument! What is
that person's job title? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
What responsibilities do they have? _______________________________
________________________________________________________________
Why are they important? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
There is another very important member of the orchestra who does play an instrument and sits
in the front row, to the conductors left. What is that person's job title? L _ _ _ _ _
What responsibilities do they have? _______________________________
________________________________________________________________
Why are they important? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Task 8: Which Famous Orchestras Can You Name?
One famous orchestra you might have heard of is the London Symphony Orchestra (known as
the LSO for short). The LSO is based in the Barbican Centre in London. Find out about 3 other
orchestras and fill in the details in the table below:
Name
Where they are based
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
London, UK
Task 9: What Is Your Favourite Instrument?
Choose one instrument from the orchestra to investigate more thoroughly. Find out
approximately when it was invented. Describe it in detail, eg what it is made of, how it is played,
what family it belongs to, anyone famous for performing this instrument and any other
interesting information. You could include a picture.
It is very important that you do this in your own words and do not just copy information
directly from a website or book.
Task 10: What Will You Invent?
It is the year 2215. People are bored of playing the same old musical instruments that have been
around for hundreds of years and are losing interest in music. You are an inventor and you
have been set the challenge of inventing a new exciting imaginative musical instrument to get
people excited about playing music again.
Use the space below to present your design idea. Think of a name for your instrument. Include
a picture. What materials will it be made out of? How will it work? What type of music will it
play? Does it fit into one of the instrument families? Use your imagination and be creative!
Task 11: What Have You Learned?
Let’s recap what you have learned about the instruments of the orchestra…..
1) How do you know if an instrument belongs to the string family?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2) How do you know if an instrument belongs to the woodwind family?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3) How do you know if an instrument belongs to the brass family?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4) How do you know if an instrument belongs to the percussion family?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5) What type of music would you expect to hear an orchestra playing?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
6) Where would you expect to hear an orchestra performing?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Task 12: Just For Fun… Instrument Wordsearch
Success Criteria
Orchestra Expert
You correctly identified where all the
instruments should sit and what family
they belong to.
You correctly identified 4 or 5 differences
between the Baroque and modern
orchestras. You also successfully
completed the extension task.
You correctly named the 4 main string
instruments in order of size and identified
the 2 ways to produce sound from them.
You correctly named the other string
instrument in the orchestra and identified
the way to produce sound from it. You
correctly labelled the parts of the violin
and completed the extension task with a t
least 3 answers.
You correctly labelled all the woodwind
instruments and identified whether they
have a single reed, double reed or no
reed. You correctly completed the
extension task.
You correctly completed all the
sentences about the instruments of the
brass family. You correctly identified 3
things all brass instruments have in
common, gave a good reason for your
choice of which instrument you think is
the odd one out and correctly answered
the extension task.
You correctly and fully describe the
difference between tuned and untuned
percussion instruments, You correctly
labelled all of the instruments as tuned or
untuned. You correctly named the 3 ways
to produce sounds from percussion
instruments and gave a good reason for
the percussion section being at the back
of the orchestra. You completed the
extension task giving 3 answers.
You correctly named the job titles of the 2
most important orchestra members and
fully described their responsibilities and
why they are important.
You correctly named 3 famous orchestras
and where they are based.
You chose a favourite instrument and
gave a full and detailed description.
You invented an imaginative new
instrument showing originality and
creativity. You gave a full and detailed
description.
You can correctly explain what makes an
instrument belong to its family. You know
what type of music an orchestra normally
plays and where you would expect to
hear an orchestra.
You found all the keywords.
Orchestra Know-A-Lot
You correctly identified where most of the
instruments should sit and what family
they belong to.
You correctly identified at least 3
differences between the Baroque and
modern orchestras. You might have
attempted the extension task.
You correctly named at least 3 of the 4
main string instruments although you
might not have got them in order of size
and you identified at least 1 way to
produce sound from them. You correctly
named the other string instrument in the
orchestra but might not have known how
to produce sound from it. You mostly
correctly labelled the parts of the violin
and attempted the extension task giving,
at least 1 answer.
You correctly labelled most of the
woodwind instruments and mostly
correctly identified whether they have a
single reed, double reed or no reed. You
attempted the extension task and got at
least 1 part of the answer.
You correctly completed most of the
sentences about the instruments of the
brass family. You correctly identified 2
things all brass instruments have in
common, attempted a reason for your
choice of which instrument you think is
the odd one out and attempted the
extension task.
You partly explain the difference between
tuned and untuned percussion
instruments. You correctly labelled most
of the instruments as tuned or untuned.
You correctly named 2 ways to produce
sounds from percussion instruments and
gave a reason for the percussion section
being at the back of the orchestra. You
attempted the extension task giving at
least 1 answer.
You correctly named the job titles of 1 of
the 2 most important orchestra members
and attempted to describe their
responsibilities and why they are
important.
You correctly named 2 famous orchestras
and where they are based, or named 3
orchestras but were not sure where they
are based.
You chose a favourite instrument and
gave an adequate description but could
have included more detail.
You invented an imaginative new
instrument showing some creative
thinking, You gave an adequate
description but could have included more
detail.
You can mostly explain what makes an
instrument belong to its family. You are
aware of what type of music an orchestra
normally plays and attempted to describe
where you would expect to hear an
orchestra.
You found most of the keywords.
Orchestra Beginner
You correctly identified where some of
the instruments should sit and what
family they belong to.
You correctly identified 1-2 differences
between the Baroque and modern
orchestras.
You correctly identified 1 or 2 of the 4
main string instruments although you
might not be sure about the order of size
or how to produce sound from them. You
attempted to label the parts of the violin.
You correctly labelled some of the
woodwind instruments and correctly
identified some of them as having a
single reed, double reed or no reed.
You correctly completed some of the
sentences about the instruments of the
brass family. You attempted to identify at
least 1 thing all brass instruments have in
common and chose which instrument you
think is the odd one out.
You are not sure how to describe the
difference between tuned and untuned
percussion instruments. You correctly
labelled some of the instruments as
tuned or untuned. You correctly named 1
way to produce sounds from percussion
instruments but were not sure why the
percussion section is at the back of the
orchestra.
You attempted to name the job titles of
the most important orchestra members
and made an incorrect or incomplete
attempt to describe their responsibilities
and why they are important.
You correctly identified 1 famous
orchestra.
You chose a favourite instrument but only
gave a few basic details.
You invented a new instrument but only
gave a few basic details.
You can explain what makes some of the
instruments belong to their families but
are not sure about all of them. You are
not sure what type of music an orchestra
normally plays or where you would expect
to hear an orchestra.
You found some of the keywords.
Your overall result is Orchestra ________________________________