About Band Instruments
No Nā Mea Kani Pāna
About Woodwinds in a Symphony
Woodwind instruments can make a lot of different sounds to help the band tell a story! Playing a low note might sound warm or hollow. Playing a high note might sound bright or chirpy. By changing how hard you blow or how you “tongue” the notes, you can make these woodwind instruments sound airy and smooth, or sharp and powerful, or even buzzing, to help set the mood and drive the story forward!
What words can you use to describe the story these woodwind instruments tell?
NOTE: It may seem curious to you that the saxophone, which is made primarily of brass, is grouped here with woodwind instruments. Why not with brass instruments? The answer: instruments are grouped by their sound production, not by their materials. And since all saxophones produce sound with a single reed vibrating against the mouthpiece, the saxophone, like its cousin the clarinet, is a woodwind instrument. Does this mean that saxophone players can more easily learn to play the clarinet? Yes, it does!
No Nā Pū 'Ohe Lā'au
He kuleana ko nā kani o ka hui pū ʻohe lāʻau e hoʻomōhala ai ka pāna he moʻolelo! He malina a he kani pē hoʻi paha ko nā hua mele leo haʻahaʻa. He hōkiokio a piopio hoʻi paha ko nā hua mele leo kiʻekiʻe. Ma ka ikaika a me ka ʻole o ke kīpuhi ʻana, a pēlā pū ke ʻano o ke alelo ke kīpuhi aku kekahi mau mea e hoʻololi ʻia ai ke kani o nā pū ʻohe lāʻau a puka aku nā kani aheahe paha, polinahe paha, kākala paha, a kapalulu hoʻi paha e hoʻomōhala hou ʻia aʻe ai ke au manaʻo o ka moʻolelo.
He aha kekahi mau hua ʻōlelo hou aʻe āu e hoʻohana ai no nā mea kani pū ʻohe lāʻau a me nā moʻolelo a ia mau mea kani e hoʻomōhala ai?
Eia kekahi, he mea ʻē paha i ka manaʻo ka wae ʻia o ke kakopone ma ka hui pū ʻohe lāʻau ʻoiai, hana ʻia ke kakopone me ke keleawe. Kainoa e wae ʻia me nā pū kani ʻeulopa (keleawe) ʻē aʻe, eia kā, ʻaʻole. ʻO kēia ke kumu, wae ʻia nā mea kani ma ke ʻano o ka hoʻopuka kani ʻana, ʻaʻole ma nā memea o ka hana ʻia ʻana. A ʻoiai hoʻi, hoʻokani ʻia nā kakopone a pau me ke mauʻu e kapalili ana i ka paukū waha a me ka puka kani, ʻo ke kakopone hoʻi—e like me ke kalioneke—wae ʻia ma ka hui pū ʻohe lāʻau. No laila, he keupono anei ko nā mea hoʻokani kakopone ma ka hoʻokani ʻana i ke kalioneke? ʻAe, he keupono ʻiʻo nō!
Flute
Family: Woodwind
Blowing over the sharp edge of the hole causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The flute doesn’t have a reed like other wind instruments.
Piccolo
Family: Woodwind
Like the flute, blowing over the sharp edge of the hole causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The piccolo is the highest of the woodwind instruments.
Oboe
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air through the double reed causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Ka Puluka
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ka hōkio ʻana ma ka lihi o kekahi puka ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū a puka aku ke kani.
Eia kekahi: ʻAʻole hoʻohana ʻia kekahi ʻohe i ka puluka e like me nā pū ʻohe lāʻau ʻē aʻe.
Ka Pikolō
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
E like me ka puluka, ʻo ka hōkio ʻana ma ka lihi o kekahi
puka ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka
ʻōpū a puka aku ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻo ka pikolō ka pū ʻohe lāʻau leo kiʻekiʻe loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
Ka ʻObo
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū a puka aku ke kani.
English Horn
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air through the double reed causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Clarinet
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air over the thin single reed causes the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece, the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Bassoon
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air through the double reed causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Ka Pū Pelekāne
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū o ka ʻohe a puka aku ke kani.
Ke Kalioneke
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe ka mea e kapalili ai i ka paukū waha a e kapalili pū aʻela ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū a puka aku ke kani.
Ka Basuna
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻohe a puka aku ke kani.
Contrabassoon
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air through the double reed causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The contrabassoon is the lowest of the double reed instruments.
Alto Saxophone
Alternative Name: Alto Sax
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air over the thin single reed causes the reed to vibrate against the
mouthpiece, the air in the tube to
vibrate and produce the sound.
Note: The alto sax is a popular beginner instrument, often playing the melody part in the band.
Tenor Saxophone
Alternative Name: Tenor Sax
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air over the thin single reed causes the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece, the air in the tube to vibrate and produce the sound.
Note: Compared to the alto sax, the tenor sax is larger, requires more lung capacity and a larger hand span.
Ka Basuna Nui
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻohe a puka aku ke kani.
Eia kekahi: ʻo ka basuna nui ka pū ʻohe lāʻau leo haʻahaʻa loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
Ke Kakopone ʻAeko
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Alto Sax
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻohe a puka aku ke kani.
Eia kekahi: ʻo ka basuna nui ka pū ʻohe lāʻau leo haʻahaʻa loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
Ke Kakopone Leo ʻEkolu
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Tenor Sax
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe pālua ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻohe a puka aku ke kani.
Eia kekahi: ʻo ka basuna nui ka pū ʻohe lāʻau leo haʻahaʻa loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
Baritone Saxophone
Alternative Name: Bari Sax
Family: Woodwind
Forcing air over the thin single reed causes the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece, the air in the tube to vibrate and produce the sound.
Note: The “bari sax” is the lowest and largest sax, known for its rich and powerful tone, often playing the bass line.
Baritone Saxophone
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Bari Sax
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ke kīpuhi ʻana i ka ʻohe ka mea e kapalili i ka paukū waha a e kapalili pū aʻela ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū o ke kakopone hāʻoi a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻo ke kakopone leo uō ka mea kani nui me ka leo haʻahaʻa. ʻIke ʻia kēia i ke kani olo, me ke kani ikaika ma nā laina hua mele haʻahaʻa.
About The Brass
Brass instruments can make many exciting sounds to help the band tell a story! A single instrument can play from low to high, blasting a deep “roar” or a bright “tweet.” By changing how you buzz your lips or press the valves, you can create smooth, warm tones or sharp, punchy jabs. Every brass instrument can create a unique and fun musical voice that can help set the mood and drive the story forward!
What words can you use to describe the sounds brass instruments create?
No Nā Pū Kani 'Eulopa
He mau kani hoihoi ko nā pū ʻeulopa e hoʻomōhala ai ka pāna i ke au manaʻo o kekahi moʻolelo! He nui laulā nā kiʻeleo o kekahi pū ʻeulopa mai ka leo haʻahaʻa a hiki i ka leo kiʻekiʻe e hoʻokani ana he leo wawā kūliʻu paha a he leo piopio huini. Ma ke ʻano o ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe me ke kaomi ʻana i nā pihi pauma ea e kani ai ʻo ka leo polinahe, ʻo nā kiʻeleo malina, a i ʻole paha ʻo nā kani huini a kani hākuʻikuʻi. He kani kūikawā a hoʻoleʻaleʻa ko kēlā me kēia pū ʻeulopa ponoʻī e hoʻomōhala ai i ke au manaʻo o kekahi moʻolelo!
He aha kekahi mau hua ʻōlelo hou aʻe āu e wehewehe ai i nā kani o ka nā pū ʻeulopa?
French Horn
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Horn
Family: Brass
Forcing air through the double reed causes the air in the tube to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The contrabassoon is the lowest of the double reed instruments.
Trumpet
Family: Brass
Forcing air over the thin single reed causes the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece, the air in the tube to vibrate and produce the sound.
Note: The alto sax is a popular beginner instrument, often playing the melody part in the band.
Piccolo trumpet
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: High Trumpet
Family: Brass
Buzzing your lips into the mouthpiece causes the air in the instrument to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The piccolo trumpet is the highest pitched trumpet.
Ka Pū Palani
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ka Pū Puhi Palani
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani.
Ka Pū Pihi
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani.
Ka Pū Pihi Pikolō
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: High Trumpet
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻo ka pū pihi pikolō ka pū kani ʻeulopa leo kiʻekiʻe loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
Trombone
Family: Brass
Buzzing your lips into a mouthpiece creates vibrations in the instrument and produces the sound. Moving the slide changes the pitch.
Euphonium
Alternative Name: Tenor Horn
Family: Brass
Buzzing your lips into a mouthpiece creates vibrations in the instrument and produces the sound.
Note: Its rich tone makes it a solo favorite.
Tuba
Family: Brass
Buzzing your lips into a mouthpiece causes the air in the instrument to vibrate and produces the sound.
Note: The tuba is the lowest brass instrument.
Ka Pū Puhi Uai
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻōpū lōʻihi o ka pū e hoʻokūpono ʻia ai ke kiʻeleo me ka uai.
Ka Pū Nui Leo Kiʻekiʻe
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ka Leo Uō
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, he mea kani punahele ia no ka hoʻokani hoʻokahi ʻana ma muli o kona kani olo malina.
Ka Pū Nui
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ka Tupa
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka paukū waha ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻo ka pū nuii ka pū kani ʻeulopa leo haʻahaʻa loa i loko o ka hui hoʻokani pila nui.
About Unpitched Percussion
Unpitched percussion instruments make noise-like sounds which do not have a definite pitch. Unlike pitched percussion, they cannot play melody or harmony notes. However, their many cool sounds are useful for creating rhythm, accentuating motion, or enhancing loudness changes (for example, crescendo). The sounds you make with unpitched percussion instruments depend on three things: what the instrument is made of, the kind of beater you use, and how you play it. By trying different materials and techniques, you can create a huge variety of rich, awesome sounds that can help tell a story!
What words can you use to describe the sounds unpitched percussion instruments create?
No Nā Pahu Ki'eleo 'Ole
He ʻano kani kiʻeleo ʻole ko nā pahu kiʻeleo ʻole. ʻAʻole hiki ke hoʻokūlauna ʻia kona leo a me ka ʻea. Eia kā, he kūpono kona leo no ka mālama ʻana i ka pana, no ka hōʻoni ʻana i ke kino, a i ʻole no ka hōʻike ʻana i ka loli ʻana o ka leo, e like me kekahi wā hoʻonui leo. Aia ke kani o nā pahu kiʻeleo i ʻekolu mea ʻokoʻa: ke ʻano o ka memea o ka mea kani, ke ʻano o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu e hoʻohana ʻia, a me ke ʻano o ka hoʻokani ʻana. Aia i ka memea a me ke ʻano o ka hoʻokani ʻana ke ʻano like ʻole o nā kani e puka ai no ke kōkua ʻana i ka haʻi ʻia o kekahi moʻolelo!
He aha kekahi mau hua ʻōlelo hou aʻe āu e wehewehe ai i nā kani o ka nā pahu kiʻeleo ʻole?
About Beaters
Choosing a hard or soft beater to strike an instrument or make it vibrate can change the character of the sounds you produce. Beaters include drumsticks, mallets, rods, brushes, bows, hands, fingers, even rubber balls and more.
No Nā Lā'au Ho'okani Pahu
Aia ke kani o nā pahu kiʻeleo ʻole i ke ʻano o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i hoʻohana ʻia, inā paha he lāʻau hoʻokani pahu paʻa a i ʻole paha he lāʻau palupalu. Eia aku kekahi mau lāʻau hoʻokani pahu: ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu lāʻau, ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu hāmale, ka lāʻau roda, ka palaki, ka lima, ka manamana lima, a pēlā pū nā pōpō uaua, a nui hou aku.
Concert Bass Drum
Family: Percussion
Striking a large drumhead with a beater causes the drum and air inside the drum to vibrate, creating deep, low sounds.
Note: It is the largest drum in many bands and orchestras, and its powerful boom can often be felt as well as heard.
Large Suspended Cymbal
Family: Percussion
Striking the metal cymbal with a beater causes it to vibrate freely, creating long, shimmering sounds.
Note: Unlike crash cymbals that are hit together in pairs, a suspended cymbal hangs by itself so it can create long, shimmering sounds and dramatic crescendos.
Crash Cymbal
Alternative Name: Clash Cymbal
Family: Percussion
Striking together two metal cymbals causes them to vibrate, creating loud crashing sounds.
Note: Crash cymbals are often used to heighten big musical moments.
Ka Pahu Nui ʻAha Mele
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ka Pahu Baso
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i ka ʻili o ka pahu nui ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea o loko a puka nā kani poʻaʻala nui.
Eia kekahi, ʻo ka pahu nui ʻaha mele ka pahu nui loa ma nā pāna a me nā ʻōkeka. Lohe ʻia ke kani wawā o ia pahu a ʻike pū ʻia hoʻi ma ke kino.
Ke Kumepala Lewa Nui
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i ke kumepala ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani olo huini.
Eia kekahi, ʻaʻole i like ke kumepala lewa nui me ke kumepala paʻi e ʻōpaʻi pū ʻia, lewa naʻe ke kumepala lewa nui ʻo ia hoʻokahi.
Ke Kumepala Paʻi
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Clash Cymbal
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka ʻōpaʻi ʻana he ʻelua kumepala paʻi kekahi i kekahi ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani pohā.
Eia kekahi, hoʻokani ʻia nā kumepala paʻi no ka hoʻoulu ʻana i ka hoihoi o ke mele a me ke kākoʻo ʻana i i ka wā kani wawā o ka ʻaha mele.
Triangle
Family: Percussion
Striking a metal beater on the metal triangle, causing it to vibrate and ring.
Note:Even though the triangle is small, its bright ringing sound can often be heard clearly over an entire orchestra
Hi-hat
Family: Percussion
When two cymbals mounted on a stand are struck together with a foot pedal or hit with drumsticks, causing the metal cymbals to vibrate.
Note: A hi-hat can make different sounds depending on whether the cymbals are open, closed, or partially closed.
Tambourine
Family: Percussion
Shaking of striking, causes the drumhead and metal jingles to vibrate.
Note: Some tambourines have a drumhead, while others only have metal jingles.
Ka Huinakolu Kani
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka huinakolu kani me ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu mekala ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani kuʻikē.
Eia kekahi, i loko nō o kona kino liʻiliʻi, ua hiki ke lohe ʻia kona kani ma luna o nā kani ʻē aʻe a pau o ka ʻōkeka holoʻokoʻa.
Ke Kumepala Pana
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ke kumepala pana me ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani ʻaʻina kaʻulī.
Eia kekahi, he mea hehi wāwae ko ke kumepala pana e wehe ai a e pani pū ai, a e pani lihi ai paha i nā ʻaoʻao ʻelua o ke kumepala a puka nā ʻano kani like ʻole.
Ka Lina ʻUlīkeke
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hoʻoluli ʻana a i ʻole ʻo ka paʻipaʻi ʻana i ka lina ʻulīkeke ka mea e kapalili ai ka ʻili o ka pahu a me nā pele.
Eia kekahi, he mau pele wale nō ko kekahi mau lina ʻulīkeke a ʻaʻohe ona pahu poʻo.
Woodblock
Alternative Name: Temple Block
Family: Percussion
Striking with a mallet or stick, causes the hollow wooden block to vibrate.
Note: Different sizes of woodblocks make different pitches, with smaller ones sounding higher and larger ones sounding lower.
Temple Block
Family: Percussion
Striking the temple block with a beater causes the wood to vibrate quickly, creating a loud, bright sound.
Note: Temple blocks are often played as a set of five, from low to high.
Snare Drum
Alternative Name: Side Drum
Family: Percussion
When the drumhead is struck with sticks, causing the drumhead and the metal snares underneath to vibrate and create a sharp rattling sound.
Note: The snare drum gets its special buzzing sound from the metal wires called “snares” stretched across the bottom head of the drum.
Ka Palaka Lāʻau
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Temple Block
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka palaka lāʻau me kekahi lāʻau hoʻokani pahu ka mea e kapalili wikiwiki ai a puka ke kani koʻele.
Ka Palaka Temepela
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka palaka temepela me kekahi lāʻau hoʻokani pahu ka mea e kapalili wikiwiki ai a puka ke kani koʻele.
Eia kekahi, hoʻokani ʻia ka palaka temepela ma ka ʻōpaʻa nona nā palaka temepela he ʻelima a ʻoi, mai ke kiʻeleo haʻahaʻa i ke kiʻeleo kiʻekiʻe.
Ka Pahu Kaula Hao
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Side Drum
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka ʻili o ka pahu me ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu ka mea e kapalili ai ka pahu a me ke kaula hao e pili ana a puka ke kani kāʻeleloi.
Eia kekahi, no nā kaula hao e moe pālaha ana ma lalo o ka pahu ka mea e puka ai ke kani kāʻeleloi.
Tom-tom
Alternative Name: Tom
Family: Percussion
Striking the drumhead with sticks or mallets, causing the drumhead and shell to vibrate.
Note: Tom-toms usually do not have snares underneath like a snare drum, so they make a deeper and smoother sound.
Guiro
Alternative Name: Scraper
Family: Percussion
Scraping a stick across the ridges of the instrument causes it to vibrate and creates a rhythmic rasping sound.
Note: Traditional güiros were often made from hollow gourds with carved grooves on the outside.
Shaker
Alternative Name: Maraca
Family: Percussion
Shaking the shaker causes small beads, seeds, or pellets inside to hit the container wall and make the vibration and sound.
Note: Shakers can be made from many different materials, including plastic, wood, gourds, or metal.
Ka Pahu Kūpā
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Tom
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka ʻili o ka pahu me ka lāʻau ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pahu.
Eia kekahi, hoʻokani ʻia nā pahu kūpā ma ka ʻōpaʻa nona nā pahu kūpā he ʻekolu a ʻoi mai ke kiʻeleo haʻahaʻa a hiki i ke kiʻeleo kiʻekiʻe.
Ka Ipu Māioio
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ke Kuilo
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ke kuolo ʻana i kekahi lāʻau ma nā māioio o ka ipu ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani kuolo.
Eia kekahi, ua hana lima ʻia nā ipu māioio kahiko me nā ipu a ua kālai ʻia nā māioio i loko o ia ipu.
Ka ʻUlī Maraka
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Ka Maraka
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hōʻulīʻulī ʻana i ka ʻulīkeke ka mea e ʻulīʻulī ai nā hua liʻiliʻi i loko o ka ʻōpū o ka ʻulīʻulī maraka a ʻo ia ka mea kapalili a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, hiki ke hana ʻia nā ʻulīkeke me nā ʻano memea like ʻole: ʻo ka ʻea, ka lāʻau, ka ipu, a i ʻole ka mekala.
Claves
Alternative Name: Rhythm Sticks
Family: Percussion
Striking the two sticks together, creates a sharp, clicking sound.
Note: Claves are often used in Latin music to keep a steady rhythmic pattern called the “clave.”
Ke Kālāʻau ʻApelika
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Rhythm Sticks
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ke kā ʻana i ka piko o ke kālāʻau ʻapelika (he lāʻau liʻiliʻi) me ka wēlau o kekahi kālāʻau ʻapelika ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea a puka aku ke kani kā wawā ʻana.
About Pitched Percussion
Pitched percussion instruments can play harmony and melody notes. They can add all sorts of cool “sound colors” from low bass lines to high melody lines and everything in between, helping the orchestra tell a story! Depending on the material the instrument is made of, the kind of mallet you use, or how you strike it or make it sound, you can help tell a story with sounds that are “bright and shimmering,” “muffled and wooden,” or “warm and ringing”, and more. Every choice can change the sound of the music and its storytelling power!
What words can you use to describe the sounds a pitched percussion instrument creates?
No Nā Pahu Ki'eleo
Hiki ke hoʻokūlauna ʻia ka leo o nā pahu kiʻeleo. Hiki nō hoʻi ke hoʻokani ʻia nā ʻano kani like ʻole mai nā hua mele baso haʻahaʻa a hiki i nā hua mele leo kiʻekiʻe a me nā ʻano a pau i waena e hoʻoikaika ana i ke au o kahi moʻolelo a ka ʻōkeka. Aia i ka memea o ka pahu kiʻeleo, ke ʻano o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu, a me ke ʻano o ka hahau ʻana ke kani e puka aku ana e hoʻoikaika ana i kahi moʻolelo me nā ʻano kani huini, koʻekoʻele a leo kāohi ʻia paha, a i ʻole paha he kani malina a kūpinaʻi, a me nā ʻano kani like ʻole he nui wale. Aia ke kani o nā mele a me ka hoʻokāʻau ʻia ʻana o ka moʻolelo i ke ʻano o ka mea kani a me ka mea hoʻokani.
He aha kekahi mau ʻōlelo āu e hoʻohana ai no ka wehewehe ʻana i nā ʻano kani o nā pahu kiʻeleo?
Timpani
Alternative Name: Kettle Drum
Family: Percussion
Striking the drumhead with a beater causes the drum and air inside the drum to vibrate, creating a distinct musical tone.
Note: Using the foot pedal to tighten or loosen the drumhead can change the pitch of the drum.
Marimba
Alternative Name: Concert Marimba
Family: Percussion
Striking the wooden bars with mallets causes the bars and air inside the tubes (underneath each bar) to vibrate, creating musical tones.
Note: The marimba has a warmer, deeper sound than the xylophone.
Vibraphone
Alternative Name: Vibes
Family: Percussion
Striking the metal bars with mallets causes the bars and air inside the tubes (underneath each bar) to vibrate, creating musical tones.
Note: The vibraphone sounds lower and melower than a glockenspiel.
Note: An electric motor creates a gentle vibrato effect which gives the instrument its name.
Ka Pahu Kikila
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Kettle Drum
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka hahau ʻana i ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i ka ʻili o ka pahu ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pahu a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, hehi ʻia ka hehina wāwae no ka hoʻomālō ʻana a me ka hōʻalu ʻana hoʻi i ka ʻili o ka pahu a pēlā e hoʻololi ai i ke kiʻeleo o ka pahu.
Ka Marimiba
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Concert Marimba
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i nā ʻaukā lāʻau ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o nā ʻohe kani (ma lalo o kēlā me kēia ʻaukā lāʻau) a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻoi aku ke kani malina a haʻahaʻa o ka marimiba ma mua o ke kōlui mekala.
Ke Kōlui Uila
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Vibes
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i nā ʻaukā mekala ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o nā ʻohe kani (ma lalo o kēlā me kēia ʻaukā mekala) a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻoi aku ke kani haʻahaʻa a polinahe o ka marimiba ma mua o ke kōlui mekala.
Eia kekahi, he mīkini uila e kuolo ai ke kani o kēia mea kani.
Xylophone
Family: Percussion
Striking the wooden bars with mallets causes the bars and air inside the tubes (underneath each bar) to vibrate, creating musical tones.
Note: The xylophone has a brighter, more piercing sound than the marimba.
Glockenspiel
Alternative Name: Orchestra Bells
Family: Bells
Striking the metal bars with beaters causes the bars to vibrate, creating bright, high-pitched musical tones.
Note: The word “glockenspiel” comes from German and means “bell play.”
Note: It sounds higher and more piercing than a vibraphone
Crotales
Alternative Name: Antique cymbals
Family: Percussion
Bowing or striking the small metal discs with a beater causes the metal to vibrate, creating bright, long-lasting bell-like musical tones.
Ke Kōlui Lāʻau
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i nā ʻaukā lāʻau ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o nā ʻohe kani (ma lalo o kēlā me kēia ʻaukā mekala) a puka ke kani.
Eia kekahi, ʻoi aku ke kani huini e ʻoʻou ana i ka pepeiao ke lohe aku o ke kōlui lāʻau ma mua o ke kōlui marimiba.
Ka Pele Kelemānia
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Orchestra Bells
Ka Hui: Bells
ʻO ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i nā ʻaukā mekala ka mea e kapalili ai ia mau ʻaukā a puka ke kani kiʻeleo kiʻekiʻe.
Eia kekahi, no ka ʻōlelo kelemānia ka hua ʻōlelo ʻo “glockenspiel” ʻo ia hoʻi ka “hoʻokani pele”
Eia hou kekahi, ʻoi aku ke kani huini ʻoʻou pepeiao o ka pele kelemānia ma mua o ke kōlui uila.
Ke Kumepala Kahiko
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Antique cymbals
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka lena ʻana a i ʻole ʻo ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i ke pā mekala ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani ō kūpaloloi kohu pele ke lohe aku.
Chimes
Alternative Name: Tubular Bells
Family: Percussion
Striking the metal tubes with a beater causes the tubes and the air inside them to vibrate and ring like bells.
Note: Chimes are often used in orchestras to sound like church bells.
Ka Pele ʻOhe
Kekahi inoa ʻokoʻa: Tubular Bells
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo
ʻO ka hahau ʻana o ka lāʻau hoʻokani pahu i nā kiupe ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea a puka ke kani pele.
Eia kekahi, hoʻohana pinepine ʻia ka pele ʻohe ma ka ʻōkeka ʻoiai ua like ke kani me nā pele o ka hale pule.
About The Piano and Harp
The harp and piano are frequent guests of the band. Their unique sounds help “color” the music and increase its storytelling power.
The piano has become one of the world’s most popular instruments since its invention in Italy over 300 years ago. When you play the piano, little felt hammers strike the strings, and the entire tonal range of a symphony orchestra is suddenly at your fingertips. And because it is easy to use, and is played across all genres — rock, pop, jazz, reggae, classical, etc. — it is widely recognized as the best first instrument to learn. With its sequential black and white keys, it also helps students of music theory learn the foundations of music.
The harp is a much older instrument than the piano. The earliest simple versions were developed in ancient Egypt around 4,000 BC. The harp has a unique, gentle sound, perfect for telling a gentle story or setting a delicate scene. Players “hug” the harp as they pluck the strings with their fingers, which allows them to feel the vibrations and even benefit from it therapeutically.
Question: Which one of them is a pitched percussion instrument, and which is a string instrument?
No Ka Piano A Me Ka Hāpa
ʻO ka hāpa a me ka piano ka mea i ʻike maʻa mau ʻia ma ka ʻōkeka. ʻO ke kani o ia mea kani ka mea e hoʻonani ana i ke mele a hoʻonui i ka mana o ka haʻi ʻōlelo.
ʻO ka piano kekahi mea kani punahele a puni ka honua i ʻike mua ʻia ma ʻĪkālia 300 makahiki akula. Ke hoʻokani ʻia ka piano, hili kekahi mau hāmale paleka i nā kaula a ʻo ka loaʻa maila nō ia o nā hua kani a pau o ka leo ʻōkeka aia hoʻi ma kou mau manamana lima. ʻOiai maʻalahi ke hoʻokani a lohe ʻia ma nā ʻano mele like ʻole—rock, pop, jazz, reggae, classical a pēlā aku—ʻike ʻia ʻo ka mea kani maikaʻi loa ia e aʻo mua ai. Ma muli o ka moe kaʻina o nā kī ʻeleʻele a me nā kī keʻokeʻo, he kōkua nō ia no ke aʻo ʻana i nā haumāna kālailai mele e aʻo mai i ke kahua o ke mele.
ʻOi aku ke kahiko o ka hāpa ma mua o ka piano. Ua ʻike mua ʻia ka hāpa ma ʻAikupita ma kahi o ka makahiki 4,000 BC. He kani polinahe e hoʻomōhala i ke au o kekahi moʻolelo hōʻoluʻolu a i ʻole i kekahi pōʻaiapili māmā. Kohu pūliki ke kūlana o ka mea hoʻokani i ka hāpa ʻoiai e hiku ana i nā kaula me kona manamana lima, komo ke kapalili ʻana o ka hāpa a ʻike kino ʻia nō e ka mea hoʻokani a he mea hoʻoponopono nō paha ia nona.
He nīnau: ʻO ka mea hea o ua mau mea kani ka mea kani o ka hui pahu kiʻeleo, a ʻo ka mea hea ka mea kani pila?
Piano
Alternative Name: Pianoforte
Family: Keyboard
Pressing a key causes a small, felt-tipped hammer to strike a string which vibrates the air inside the piano, creating a musical pitch.
Note: The piano can play both very soft (piano) and very loud (forte) sounds, which is how it was named piano-forte.
Harp
Family: Strings
Plucking the strings with your fingers causes the strings to vibrate, creating musical pitches. Adjusting the foot pedals changes the length and pitch of the strings.
Ka Piano
Alternative Name: Pianoforte
Ka Hui: Ke Kī
ʻO ke kaomi ʻana i nā kī ka mea e kuʻi ai nā hāmale peleka i nā kaula e kapalili ai ke ea o loko o ka piano a puka he kani.
Eia hou: Hiki ke hoʻokani ʻia ka piano ma ke ʻano leo ʻolu (piano) a me ke ʻano leo nui (forte). Pēlā i kapa mua ʻia ai he piano-forte.
Ka Hāpa
Ka Hui: Ke Pila
ʻO ka hiku ʻana i nā kaula me nā manamana lima ka mea e kapalili ai nā kaula a puka he kani. ʻO ka hoʻoponopono ʻana i nā hehina wāwae ka mea e hoʻolōʻihi a e hoʻololi i ke kiʻeleo o nā kaula.
About Traditional Hawaiian Instruments
Poʻe Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian people) were making their traditional instruments long before modern “western” instruments arrived in Hawaiʻi. These natural, plant-based instruments are still in use today as the rhythmic foundation for hula dancers, or as the long, vibrant, ceremonial opening of the pū (conch shell). Whether you hear the steady “ʻū–tē–ʻu-te-tē–” beat of the ipu heke (gourd drum), or the harmonious deep beats of the kāʻekeʻeke (tuned bamboo tubes), these Hawaiian instruments help tell stories passed down from generation to generation. When they join with the symphony orchestra or band, they bring their awesome storytelling power to the concert!
Choose an instrument and think about its method of sound production. Can you figure out which family of western instruments it might belong to?
No Nā Mea Kani Hawai'i Kahiko
Ua maʻa i nā Hawaiʻi ka hoʻokani ʻana i nā mea kani kahiko ma mua loa o ka hiki ʻana mai o nā mea kani hou i Hawaiʻi. ʻO ua mau mea kani nei i hana ʻia me nā mea kūlohelohe o ke ao ke kahua o nā kani o ka hula ʻana a pēlā pū ke ō loa o ka pū kani e hoʻomaka i nā ʻaha like ʻole. Inā paha ʻo ka lohe ʻia o ka pana “ʻū–tē—ʻu-te-tē—” o ka ipu heke, a i ʻole paha o ka pana konikoni o ke kāʻekeʻeke, ʻo ia mau mea kani Hawaiʻi kahiko kekahi o nā mea e hoʻokāʻau ʻia ka haʻi ʻia o nā moʻolelo kahiko i ili mai ma nā hanauna. Ke hoʻohui ʻia naʻe me nā ʻōkeka a me ka pāna, ola nui ka haʻi moʻolelo ʻana i loko o ka ʻaha mele!
E koho paha i kekahi mea kani Hawaiʻi a e noʻonoʻo i ke ʻano o ka hoʻopuka ʻia o ke kani. E noʻonoʻo paha i ka hui mea kani ʻeulopa hea ka hui kūpono e wae ʻia ai nā mea kani Hawaiʻi kahiko.
Pūʻili
Alternative Name: Split Bamboo Rattle
Striking the pūʻili bamboo stick against your hand or another stick, the split ends rattle together, creating a rustling sound similar to falling rain.
Kālāʻau
Alternative Name: Dancing Sticks
Striking two kālaʻau rhythm sticks together makes the hard wood vibrate, creating a sharp, bright sound.
ʻIliʻili
Alternative Name: Smooth Stones
Holding two pebbles in each hand and clicking them together with a grasping motion of the palms causes the stones and the air around them to vibrate, creating a sharp, bright sound.
Pūʻili
Alternative Name: Split Bamboo Rattle
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ke kā ʻana i ka pūʻili i ka lima a i ʻole i kekahi pūʻili e nakeke ai nā wēlau māwehewehe kekahi i kekahi ka mea e puka ai he kani nakeke ʻana kohu paka ua e heleleʻi ana.
Kālāʻau
Alternative Name: Dancing Sticks
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ke kā ʻana i nā kālāʻau kekahi i kekahi ka mea e kapalili ai nā lāʻau a puka ke kani koʻele.
ʻIliʻili
Alternative Name: Smooth Stones
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka hopu ʻana he ʻelua ʻiliʻili i kēlā me kēia lima me ka paʻina pū ʻana o nā ʻiliʻili ma ka lima ka mea e kapalili ai nā ʻiliʻili me ke ea a puka ke kani koʻele.
ʻOhe Hano Ihu
Alternative Name: Nose Flute
Gently breathing through one nostril over the sharp edge of the ʻohe hano ihu hole causes the air to vibrate inside the ʻohe (bamboo tube), creating sweet, soft musical tones.
Kāʻekeʻeke
Alternative Name: Bamboo Tubes/Pipes
With the bamboo tube held vertically so that the open end is up and closed end down, striking the instrument on the ground or soft mat causes the air in the tube to vibrate and the sound to be produced.
Pū
Alternative Name: Conch Shell
Buzzing with your lips causes the air in the tube (tube is inside the shell) to vibrate and the sound to be produced.
ʻOhe Hano Ihu
Alternative Name: Nose Flute
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
ʻO ka hōkio ʻana mai o kekahi puka ihu ma ka lihi o ka puka o ka ʻohe hano ihu ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka ʻohe a puka ke kani hoehoene polinahe.
Kāʻekeʻeke
Alternative Name: Bamboo Tubes/Pipes
Ka Hui: Ka pū ʻohe lāʻau
Ma ka hoʻokū ʻana i ke kāʻekeʻeke e huli ana ka wēlau puka i luna a me ka wēlau paʻa i lalo, ʻo ke kā ʻana i ke kāʻekeʻeke i kekahi moena ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea ma ka ʻōpū o ke kāʻekeʻeke a puka ke kani.
Pū
Alternative Name: Conch Shell
Ka Hui: Ka pū kani ʻeulopa
ʻO ka mumuhi ʻana o nā lehelehe i ka pū ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i loko o ka pū a puka ke kani ʻolēʻolē.
Ipu Heke
Alternative Name: Double Gourd
Thumping the bottom of the double gourd on a padded mat causes it to vibrate, creating low sounds. Slapping the sides with fingers creates sharper, high sounds.
ʻŪkēkē
Alternative Name: Mouth Bow or Musical Bow
Family: Strings
Holding the ʻūkēkē against your parted lips while strumming the strings produces vibrations which resonate the air according to the shape of the mouth, which serves as a resonator.
Photo credit: Leah Friel
Ipu Heke
Alternative Name: Double Gourd
Ka Hui: Ka pahu kiʻeleo ʻole
ʻO ka nākuʻi ʻana i ka ʻolo o ka ipu heke ma kekahi moena ka mea e kapalili ai a puka ke kani haʻahaʻa ʻO ka paʻi ʻana i ka ʻaoʻao o ia ipu heke me nā manamana lima ka mea e puka ai ke kani kiʻekiʻe.
ʻŪkēkē
Alternative Name: Mouth Bow or Musical Bow
Ka Hui: Ka Pila
ʻO ka waiho ʻana i ka ʻūkēkē i waena o nā lehelehe ʻoiai e koekoe ana i nā kaula ka mea e kapalili ai ke ea i ka waha. He ʻano “‘ōpū” ka waha e kapalili ai ke ea a ʻo ka hoʻowahawaha ʻana ʻoiai e koekoe ana ka mea e loli ai ke kani.
Photo credit: Leah Friel