Why is the piano sometimes classified as a percussion instrument?
ABecause it is very loud
BBecause you blow into it
CBecause hammers inside it strike the strings
DBecause it is made of wood
Even though the piano has strings, it produces sound when small hammers inside strike those strings, which is how percussion instruments work.
Question 2 True / False
All woodwind instruments are made of wood.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Some woodwind instruments, like the flute, are made of metal. The name 'woodwind' comes from how they were originally made, but the family is defined by how they produce sound, not their material.
Question 3 True / False
Brass instruments can only play loudly.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Brass players can play very softly as well as loudly. They have a wide range of dynamics available to them.
Question 4 Short Answer
Name one instrument from the string family.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Violin
A good answer names any string instrument such as violin, guitar, harp, viola, cello, or bass. These instruments produce sound through vibrating strings.
Question 5 Multiple Choice
What makes each instrument family sound different from the others?
AThe color of the instrument
BHow the instruments produce vibrations
CThe country where the instrument was made
DHow expensive the instrument is
Each instrument family has a distinct sound because of how its instruments create vibrations: strings vibrate strings, woodwinds vibrate air through a tube, brass vibrate lips into a mouthpiece, and percussion instruments are struck or shaken.