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The Elements of Music

Timbre or Tone Colour

Activity: Describing Words (Timbre or Tone Colour)

 

Time-frame: 60 minutes

Lesson overview: We are learning to use vocabulary to describe timbre (tone colour) of different instruments.

 

1. Watch YouTube Video: What is tone colour?

2. Listen to the tone colour or timbre of the Pianoforte. Use some describing words to tell me the piano's timbre.

3. Listen to the tone colour or timbre of the FluteUse some describing words to tell me the flute's timbre.

4. Listen to the tone colour or timbre of the Guitar. Use some describing words to tell me the guitar's timbre.

5. Listen to the tone colour or timbre of the Saxophone. Use some describing words to tell me the saxophone's timbre.

6. Listen to the tone colour or timbre of the Violin. Use some describing words to tell me the violin's timbre.

 

Piano -13 PitchesArtist Name
00:00 / 00:18
Saxophone - 13 PitchesArtist Name
00:00 / 00:14
Flute - 13 PitchesArtist Name
00:00 / 00:15
Guitar - 13 PitchesArtist Name
00:00 / 00:16
Violin - 13 PitchesArtist Name
00:00 / 00:14

Here is a recording of various instruments and their timbre or tone colour. All instruments are played on the same pitch. Notice how each has it's own unique tone colour. 

Why do they sound so different even though the same pitch is played?

Different Timbres or Tone - Same Pitch.mArtist Name
00:00 / 00:34

What should I submit on SeeSaw?

Please submit a Word Document File OR PDF or image of your work on a piece of paper.

What should my work include?

Your work should include:

1. Heading: Music | Term 3 | Week 5 | 2020

2. Your name and grade

3. Picture of 5 instruments (you can draw it if you like)

4. Describe the tone colour/timbre using 3 describing words. You will have to listen to the sound recordings many times and use the internet to research each of the instruments and look for words that describe what the instrument timbre sounds like.

Work Format Example.jpg
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