Music - String Family Assignment

Instructions:

There are three parts to this assignment. Make sure you read the directions for, and complete, all three.

Part 1: Go to the San Francisco Symphony Instrument page: http://www.sfskids.org/classic/templates/instorchframe.asp?pageid=3

Click on “String Family.” Read about the string family as a whole, then click on the individual instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass, and harp) to hear them and learn about them. If you have problems with the website, the reading is included in the “String Family Text” part of the assignment.

Questions for Part 1: Using complete sentences, answer the following questions: ​

1. Compare and contrast a violin with a cello, giving two similarities and two differences: ​ ​ ______

2. Identify which string instrument an orchestra has the most of, and which string instrument ​ ​ ​ ​ an orchestra has the least of: ​ ​ ______

3. Briefly describe the way to play a violin or viola: ​ ​ ______

Part 2: Once you have finished, go to the following link and listen to the piece of string music. ​ Be sure to read the description below the video (you might have to click “Show more”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXYAJYvT-w. ​ Questions for Part 2: Based on what you heard and read, answer the questions below: ​ What is the title of the piece?

______

Who composed the piece?

______

Is the tempo (speed) of the song fast (Allegro) or slow (Adagio)? ​ ​ ​ ​ ______

Is the volume loud (forte) or soft (piano)? ​ ​ ​ ​ ______

Which of the string instruments do you hear the most?

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Describe the feeling or mood the song tries to create:

______

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Writing Prompt for Part 3: In one complete paragraph, describe what might be happening as ​ the music plays (think of it like a scene in a movie – what might you see on screen that would match the music?).

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