Timbre around the world
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify common instruments and timbres from a variety of musical traditions around the world.
Key learning points
- There is a huge diversity of instruments around the world. Some have crossed between musical genres and traditions.
- Common non-Western drums include tabla, timbales, conga, djembe and dhol.
- There are many other important percussion instruments, including both tuned and untuned percussion.
- There is also a diverse range of stringed instruments that can be heard.
- These include guitar-like instruments like banjo, mandolin and bouzouki, and other instruments like tanpura and sarangi.
Keywords
Tabla - a pair of hand drums from the Indian subcontinent with a range of timbres
Conga - a hand drum originating in Africa with a round, full timbre
Banjo - a guitar-like stringed instrument that has a distinct percussive ‘twangy’ timbre
Sitar - a stringed instrument from the Indian subcontinent that creates a rich, ringing timbre with use of its resonant strings
Common misconception
It is impossible to memorise the timbre of all of the different instruments around the world.
Yes, it would be impossible. However, learning to identify some of the key instruments is valuable - these are often heard in styles across different cultures, so learning the sound of the most common is important as a well-rounded musician.
Teacher tip
The more opportunities pupils have to practise identifying different instruments and timbres, the more confident they will become. Consider creating further listening opportunities (even just quick, informal instrument identification tasks) to support them with this.
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