Exploring Classroom Instruments

Classroom Instruments#

In music class, you get to play real instruments! Classroom instruments are designed to be easy to play, durable, and fun for young musicians. Let's meet some of the most common classroom instruments!

The Tambourine#

A tambourine is a round frame with a thin drum head stretched across it. Around the frame are small metal discs called jingles that shake and jingle when you hit or shake the tambourine.

How to play:

• Hold it in one hand by the frame
• Hit it with the other hand (fingers, knuckles, or palm)
• Or shake it rapidly to make a continuous jingling sound
• You can also tap it on your hip or thigh

What it sounds like: A bright, rhythmic rattle with a drum beat.

The Triangle#

A triangle is exactly what it sounds like — a metal rod bent into a triangle shape. It hangs from a thin string so the metal can vibrate freely.

How to play:

• Hold the string so the triangle hangs freely (not touching anything)
• Strike it with a small metal beater (a thin metal rod)
• Let it ring! Do not touch it right after striking or you will stop the sound

What it sounds like: A bright, clear "ping!" that rings for a long time.

The Maracas#

Maracas come in pairs — you hold one in each hand. Each maraca is a hollow shell filled with small beads, seeds, or grains. When you shake them, the filling rattles against the inside to make sound.

How to play:

• Hold one in each hand
• Shake them in a rhythm — either together or alternating (one, then the other)
• You can shake them hard for loud sounds or gently for soft sounds

What it sounds like: A dry, rattling, rhythmic sound. Perfect for Latin and world music rhythms!

The Xylophone#

A xylophone is a row of wooden bars arranged from low to high. You hit the bars with a mallet to play notes.

What it sounds like: A bright, wooden "tock" sound. Each bar is a different pitch — lower bars on the left, higher bars on the right.

How to play: Hold the mallet loosely and bounce it off the bar — do not push it down or the sound will be cut short. Let the mallet bounce away naturally!