This is the Theramin, invented by a Russian immigrant by that name, here in the US back in 1950. This is the only instrument I know which is played without touching it. The vertical pole creates a magnetic field, which when the musician moves their hand, disturbs the magnetic field and is converted into an electronic signal, which is then converted into pitches or notes. The other horizontal pole controls the volume, or how loud or soft the notes will be. You will notice that people who play this instrument are sort of in a trance when they perform. Supposedly it is very calming and therapeutic.
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This is a favorite instrument of Ms. Degenhardt. Our 5th Grade orchestra students got to play HER very own electric bass this past week in a mini-lesson. What you see in the top left of the video is something called "Tableture." This is how electric guitar and -bass is written for quick and easy playing. Ms. Degenhardt likens it to "push button music making." Each line of the notation represents one of the strings on the instrument, and the numbers represent which fret to press with your fingers. Other symbols may include slides, tremolo's and vibrato. Enjoy - especially the "tutti" section where the bass and other instruments all play the same 'solo' at the same time.
For this week's instrument of the week we have 10-year old Toby playing some serious blues guitar in his PJ's. Mind you, he is able to play his instrument better than some grownups. And a good part of what he is playing is "improvised," which means he is making it up as he goes. We learn how to improvise a little bit on our instruments in school, using a specific set of notes, usually based on a 'blues scale' which is what Toby is using for his solo here. It just goes to show that if you put in the effort, you can do this too!
This is I 'think' the last instrument of the week and then 3rd graders can scroll through and decide what they might want to play next year. This is a really cool instrument and it is an instrument for YOU if your super power is good musical listening!
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Ms. DegenhardtYour child's personal facilitator of musical creativity and enjoyment! Archives
September 2023
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