Timbre 1
4 Lessons
In this unit, students will discuss the elements of timbre and what factors contribute to our perception of timbre. Students will experience the timbres of different musical instruments and learn about instrument families. This unit will showcase different instrument sounds and how those timbres are used in music to elicit emotional responses and meaning.
Loud / Soft
Instrument Families 1
Alternate Instrument Methods
Unpitched Instruments
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
- Describe how instruments are grouped into families
- Identify the sound of various instruments in a variety of music genres
- Perform various dynamics with voice or instruments, individually and in groups
Essential Questions
- What is timbre in music?
- What factors contribute to the perception of timbre?
- How do different musical instruments produce distinct timbres?
- How can one instrument change timbres?
- How can timbre be notated in written music?
Unit Syllabus (4 Lessons)
Below is a map of lessons in the order of suggested presentation. You will find a variety of introductory lessons that present a new concept for the first time, practice lessons that contain ear training, recognizing, and identifying a concept, and reinforcing lessons that include creating with, producing with, or performing a concept.