Did You Know?

Music most likely evolved as a means of communication for early humans in hunter-gatherer groups. As hunter-gatherer groups evolved into farming (or agrarian) cultures, music held an important place in ceremonies and as a rhythmic accompaniment to the tedious labor of farming. In fact, scholars consider it unlikely that music was ever a separate function from the daily lives of prehistoric peoples.

Sound is a wave that is created by vibrating objects and transmitted through a medium from one location to another. The medium (such as air, water or even wood) is simply the material through which the wave moves.

Rhythm is essential to music. It is the way certain notes are played (fast or slow), and the way those notes are spaced (close together or far apart) to create a unique pattern of sound.

Design Challenge

Create a musical instrument that can be played in more than one way using common objects found throughout the house. Ask two to three friends to find as many ways as possible to play the instrument...their ideas may be different than yours but the main idea is to create something that can be played in more than one way. Have a contest to play your instrument in a variety of different ways. Decide on all the areas to judge before you begin. Set up quantitative (e.g. volume, number of different sounds, etc.) and qualitative (e.g. dance-ability, silliness, etc.) categories to be used for judging.

Constraint: Your instrument needs to be played in at least 2 ways (which you get to determine). Note: Older students should also be able to make their instrument play two separate notes (or sounds).

Extension: Create a language or way to communicate a specific message with your instrument Teach it to a friend and then send a message. See if your partner can send a message back to you.

Some suggested materials: glass tumblers, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, rubber bands, newspaper, paper plates, pie tins, paper clips, beans, pop corn kernels, wax paper, bubble wrap, oatmeal boxes, construction paper, glue (stick or liquid), film canisters, balloons, combs, string, marbles

Standards Addressed

Physical Science:
Grade 3: Students know energy can be carried from one place to another by waves, such as water waves and sound waves, by electric current, and by moving objects.

Grade 5: Elements and their combinations account for all the varied types of matter in the world.

Mathematical Reasoning (Grades 3-8):
Students make decisions about how to approach problems.

Students use strategies, skills and concepts in finding solutions.

Music (Grades 3-8):
Students apply vocal and instrumental musical skills in performing a varied repertoire of music. They compose and arrange music and improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

Students apply what they learn in music across subject areas. They develop competencies and creative skills in problem solving, communication, and management of time and resources that contribute to lifelong learning and career skills.