Music Instrument Presentation and Report
The Assignment: * Select a single musical instrument from a non-Western music-culture or music tradition. (“Western” refers to commonly known instruments such as guitar, keyboard, orchestra and band instruments, etc.). * A good starting point to find an instrument is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs * Do online research to learn about this instrument. * Find one good online video, from Youtube or elsewhere, that clearly shows the instrument as used in performance.
Presentation: * Prepare a talk of about 5 minutes in duration to present to the class. You will deliver it from the front of the room. You may use a presentation app such as PowerPoint or Prezi if you wish, but it is definitely not required. * Explain to the class aspects of the instrument, such as:
* origin of the instrument; related instruments that preceded it in time * place and/or people where the instrument originated * organological classification of the instrument (aerophone, etc.) * timbre of the instrument (in your own words)
* typical role of the instrument in an ensemble (its role in texture) * famous performers (if any) * geographic and cultural spread of the instrument around the world * significance and meaning of the instrument to the people who play it
