Trumpet

Basic Facts About Trumpets

• The trumpet has the highest register in the brass family.
• Trumpets are one of the oldest musical instruments.
• The smallest trumpets are piccolo trumpets.
• The trumpet is played by blowing air through closed lips.
• They are constructed of brass tubing.
• Modern trumpets have valves.

Famous Trumpeters Include:

• Louis Armstrong
• Miles Davis
• Roy Eldridge
• Maurice Murphy
• Maynard Ferguson
• Blue Mitchell

Coloring page of trumpet: http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-trumpet-i5957.html

<---Trumpet

<---Piccolo

<---Louis Armstrong

<---Miles Davis

This is a song called Summertime by Miles Davis featuring the trumpet.

Violin

Basic Facts About Violins

• The violin originated from Italy in the early 1500's.
• Andrea Amati invented the violin.
• The violin usually contains four strings.
• It is the smallest and highest-pitch member of the violin family of string instruments.
• The violin family of the string instruments includes the violin, viola, cello and double bass.
• The violinist produces sound by drawing a bow across one or more strings

Famous Violinists Include:

• Johann Sebastian Bach
• Wolfgang Mozart
• Joshua Bell
• Maxim Vengerov
• Fritz Kreisler
• Niccole Paganini

Website with activities, puzzle and games about violins: http://www.violinstudent.com/gamechooser

<---Violin

<----Cello

<----Bach

<----Mozart

In this clip, America's Got Talent contestants play their violin's together.

Drum

Basic Facts About Drums

• The first drum sets were put together in the late 1800's.
• Some skills required to play the drums are rhythm, hand-eye coordination,and limb independence.
• Some types of drums include bass drum, snare drum, timpani, side drum and tenor drum.
• The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments.
• The shape, size and construction of the drum shell determine the sound of a drum.

Famous Drummers Include:

• Chris Adler
• Dave Grohl
• Tommy Lee
• Dave Lombardo
• Travis Barker
• Alex Acuna
• Sheila E
• Tony Williams

Ideas for teaching kids lessons on how to play the drums: http://marcypaulson.suite101.com/free-drum-lessons-for-kids-a175061

<----Bass Drum

<---Timpani drums

<--Dave Lombardo

<---Tony Williams

In this clip, American Idol contestant Reed Grimm plays a drum set for his Hollywood performance. 

Piano

Basic Facts About Pianos

• The piano was invented in 1698 by Bartolomeo Cristofori.
• There are over 12,000 parts in a piano.
• Most pianos have two to three pedals.
• There are many different types of pianos including vertical, spinet, console, studio, upright and grand pianos.
• The types of grand pianos are petite, baby, medium, parlor, ballroom and concert.
• Almost every modern piano has 36 black keys and 52 white keys.

Famous Pianists Include:

• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Franz Liszt
• Ray Charles
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Vladimir Horowitz
• Martha Argerich

Website on learning notes and piano lessons: http://pianolessonsinyourhome.com/lessons/kids-corner/#

<-----Upright Piano

<------Grand Piano

<----Ludwig van Beethoven

<----Ray Charles

This music video features singer Alex Lambert playing all different kinds of pianos throughout New York City

Saxophone

Basic Facts About Saxophones

• The saxophone is named after it's inventor Adolphe Sax.
• The mouthpiece attached to the saxophone is called the reed.
• The saxophone is made in eight sizes.
• The saxophone is usually played in jazz and pop music.
• The saxophone is made out of brass but classified as a woodwind instrument.
• Some types of saxophones are the soprillo, subcontrabass and alto saxophone.
• The saxophone became popular in military marching bands.

Famous Saxophone Players Include:

• John Coltrane
• Charlie Parker
• Stan Getz
• Coleman Randolf Hawkins
• Lester Prez Young
• James Moody
• Kenny G

Saxophone Coloring Page: http://www.hellokids.com/c_19328/coloring

<---Alto Saxophone

<---Soprillo Saxophone

<---John Coltrane

<---Kenny G

A video of a guy playing the alto and tenor saxophone to the popular song "Halo" by Beyonce.

Guitar

Basic Facts About Guitars

• Guitars were first played in Spain in the 14th Century.
• The guitar was developed out of an instrument called a vihuela.
• Guitars have six single strings or double sets of strings.
• The smallest guitar in the world is 10 micrometres long with strings 50 nanometers.
• The two major types of guitars are acoustic guitars and electric guitars.
• Many cultures have developed their own version of the guitar and use different names for the instrument.

Famous Guitarists Include:

• B.B. King
• Carlos Santana
• Eddie Van Halen
• Eric Clapton
• Jimi Hendrix
• Keith Richards
• Kurt Cobain
• Tom Petty

A fun computer game involving guitars:

http://www.kongregate.com/games/Shinki/super-crazy-guitar-maniac-deluxe-2

<----Acoustic Guitar

<---Electric Guitar

<--Musician B.B. King

<---Country singer

 Taylor Swift

A great part about learning to play an instrument such as the guitar is getting the chance to share your music with others. Enjoy this clip from the movie August Rush in which Louis and his son Evan play their guitars together.