9780153506512.pdf

3Do you play an instrument andmake music?Do you play alone ordo you play with friends?4Making music with other people can be fun and exciting.Some people play together in a band,and some people play together in an orchestra.An orchestra is a large group of musicians.They play music together using different instruments.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 4RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 41/25/08 12:27:05 PM1/25/08 12:27:05 PM5There is an orchestra in my town.When I hear the music,I feel likeI am going on a journey.I seepictures in my head and experiencedifferent feelings.6Look at all the instruments in the orchestra.There are four families of instruments:strings,woodwinds,brass,and percussion.Each instrument family has its own sound and is important to the orchestra.stringsstringswoodwindswoodwindsbrassbrasspercussionpercussionRXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 6RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 61/25/08 2:52:05 PM1/25/08 2:52:05 PM7The strings are at the front.The violin is the smallest string instrument,and the harp is the biggest.Others are the viola,cello,and bass.The woodwinds are behind the strings.The piccolo has the highest sound,while the contrabassoon hasthe lowest sound.Others include the flute,clarinet,oboe,and bassoon.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 7RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 71/25/08 12:37:28 PM1/25/08 12:37:28 PM8The brass family is behind the woodwinds and include trumpets,trombones,and tubas.The brass instruments are the loudest.The percussion family is at the back of the orchestra.There are many percussion instruments each with its own sound.They make the rhythm and the music so exciting!RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 8RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 81/29/08 8:49:21 AM1/29/08 8:49:21 AM9Watch the conductor wave his baton up and down,and side to side.He is directing the players how and when to play their instruments.The players concentrate and watch the conductor.He helps them play with expression.He can make the volume loud or soft.He can make the rhythm fast or slow.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 9RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 91/25/08 1:17:43 PM1/25/08 1:17:43 PM10Sometimes the music is written for just one instrument family to play.Listen to the brass instruments blare!Sometimes all the instruments play together.Different sounds blend together into beautiful music.The conductor is in charge.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 10RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 101/25/08 2:55:08 PM1/25/08 2:55:08 PM12People applaud when the music finally ends.The performance was breathtaking.Everyone enjoyed it.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 12RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 121/25/08 1:20:38 PM1/25/08 1:20:38 PM13The conductor is thrilled that the performance is over.The musicians are pleased they played well.Playing in an orchestra is what they like to do more than anything.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 13RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 131/25/08 1:21:53 PM1/25/08 1:21:53 PM14Maybe you would like to join an orchestra someday.Making music with a lot of people must be very exciting!RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 14RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 141/25/08 1:27:26 PM1/25/08 1:27:26 PMWord Count:421(425 with diagram)Think Critically1.What do musicians in an orchestra do?2.Beginning at the front of an orchestra,in what order are the instrument families?3.In what section of the book can you fi nd information about the person who wrote the music?4.What would happen if people in an orchestra didnt follow the conductor?5.If you could play an instrument in an orchestra,what would you like to play?Why?MusicMake a Chart Divide a sheet of paper into four parts and label the parts strings,woodwinds,brass,and percussion.Draw a picture of an instrument in each group.Write a sentence that tells about the group.School-Home Connection Talk to a family member about the different instruments in an orchestra.Listen to a CD or music on the radio and discuss the different instruments you can hear.RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 15RXENL08CRD2X_OL_18_TXT.indd 151/25/08 1:25:29 PM1/25/08 1:25:29 PM