Sept 28 - Researching Wordly Instruments

Researched different musical instruments I'm interested in making, and their origins:

• Didgeridoo:

originates from Australian Aboriginals; long wooden pipe; blown into to create deep reverberated hum; wind instrument

• Maracas:

originates from South America and/or Mexico; percussion instrument; shake to make sound; usually in pairs

• Gong:

originates from China/Asia in general; orchestral percussion instrument; circular bronze (or other metal) plate struck with mallet; resonant sound

• Guitar:

originates from Spain/Italy/other, used today worldwide; string instrument; usually 6 strings

• Rainstick:

origins unsure Aztecs/Chilean/Peruvian; hollow tube filled with pins and pebbles; upend to make sound of rain; percussion instrument

• Castanets:

origins unknown; used in many different cultures’ music to show rhythm; 2 small handheld pieces of wood/shell/plastic joined at top and clapped together; clicking sound; percussion instrument

• Bongo Drums:

originates from Africa/Cuba, often used in Caribbean music and reggae music in Jamaica; set of 2 small drums held between knees; beaten with fingers; percussion instrument

• Bells:

originates from China/Asia/other; used today in many cultures’ dances as bracelets/anklets/belts with numerous bells attached; bronze or other metal; percussion instrument; struck or shaken to produce ringing sound

After trying to find origins for these instruments, I found it difficult to pinpoint exact beginnings, especially since the definitions and structures of the instruments have changed and developed over time, therefore making their origins subjective and speculative. Different websites sometimes came up with different origins for the same instrument, and some websites felt bias in their portrayal of the origin of the instrument. So instead of focusing my lesson plans around the origin of instruments, I will just have the use of certain instruments in cultures, and not necessarily the culture of origin.