Please view TIMBRE videoWhat is Timbre? | Beginner | Music Production | Berklee Online (Links to an external site.)
What is Timbre? | Beginner | Music Production | Berklee Online
OBJECTIVE: Synthesize your knowledge of musical timbres and demonstrate effective communication skills. Be enthusiastic and professional and make
your presentation as interesting as possible (to an elementary student).
Preparation: As you prepare the presentation, be enthusiastic, yet professional. Design your project to educate a novice, inexperienced musician or an
elementary aged learner.
Please view the following videos to familiarize yourself with the instruments of the orchestra.
The Woodwind Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEt1Mm8sSkA (Links to an external site.)
The String Family
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Strings (Links to an external site.)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Strings
The Brass Family
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Brass (Links to an external site.) https://youtu.be/yE0aSxziNdY
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Brass
The Percussion Family
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Percussion (Links to an external site.)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Percussion
1. Select an instrument family from the videos. (You may not choose the Percussion Family for the project.)
Secure an interesting piece of music from the classical, jazz, popular or world genres that features your instrument family. It must be clearly evident that the
family of instruments is clearly recognizable; it cannot simply be “part of the group”.
3. Next, choose one instrument from this family to focus on.
Secure another interesting piece of music from the classical, jazz, popular or world genres that prominently feature your instrument. You do not need to stay
with the same genre that you found in #2.
Choose 2, 1-minute excerpt from this piece to highlight and demonstrate your instrument.
The first excerpt should feature your instrument playing alone.
The second except should feature your instrument playing with other instruments.
Specific Requirement: Prepare a narrated PowerPoint that includes the following:
The name of your instrument family. Also, include the names of all of the instruments in the family + visuals and names of each of the instruments. Provide
details such as which instrument is the highest pitched of the family? The lowest? Use your piece selection from #2 above to include a short audio or videoclip of the family.
The name of your selected instrument from #3 above. Use your selected piece here; be sure to identify the title of the piece, composer, and the performer.
Provide specific information about your instrument:
Country of origin and historical components.
Visual representation of the instrument to include the parts of the instrument and overall construction of it (materials, comments about HOW it is put
together).
Video of a person playing the instrument. Comment on how the sound is being produced.
Your instrument’s place in the orchestra. Where does it sit? Is it featured very often? How many people play this instrument in a symphony orchestra? Helpful
link: Map of modern western orchestra (Links to an external site.)
Your instrument in the daily life of a musician. Other than in an orchestra, when is this instrument played? Is it used in other genres of music? Which?
Personalization: Briefly discuss why you selected the instrument.
Is there something that interests or intrigues you about this instrument?
Do you have any personal experience with the instrument?
Would you study this instrument if you had the opportunity? Why or why not?
How would YOU describe the sound of the instrument? Use YOUR words, not terminology from research. Go ahead and use words that are “not musically
sophisticated” but ARE professionally appropriate.
References – include a list of sources that you utilized
Presentation suggestions:
BE CREATIVE. There are multiple opportunities to make your presentation interesting. Use color, fonts, pictures, movable icons, emojis, and musical
examples that are rich and diverse. Consider musical examples that would be familiar to novice listeners or elementary school students (if applicable).
Your narration should be clearly delivered and interactive with your visual presentations. Use energy, enthusiasm and voice inflection. If you are appearing in
video clips, be sure to look professional. This is a formal presentation so think carefully about the audience.
Evaluation – 60 points based in the following categories:
+Content – all requirements are addressed, accuracy of information presented, variety of facts and information, evidence of research, references noted
+Musical examples – appropriate selections, variety, applicable to family and instrument selected
+Presentation – Powerpoint effectiveness: design, functionality, narration, variety in creative approach
+Professionalism – obvious commitment to the project, neatness and appearance, accuracy in grammar/spelling
**Note: A rubric based on these categories will be used for evaluation purposes.
How to Make a Narrated PowerPoint
How to Record Narration for a PowerPoint Presentation For Dummies (Links to an external site.)
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