MAPSInstrument Family Market
Summary
Students sort recorded instrument sounds into Chinese traditional and Western families, then justify their choices in a lively listening market.
Procedures
- 1
Two families on the board: the teacher writes 中国传统乐器 on one side and 西方乐器 on the other, shows the eight pictures (erhu, pipa, zhudi, guzheng / violin, flute, trumpet, piano), and explains that these two groups are called instrument families.
- 2
First clues — our listening checklist: the teacher plays one instrument and models what to listen for — (a) How the sound is produced: using a bow, plucking the strings with fingers, blowing with breath, or striking the instrument. (b) sound quality: bright or dark? thin or rich? (c) resonance: does the sound ring on and bloom (like a struck or plucked string), or does it stay even and smooth while it is played (like a bowed or blown tone)? These three clues are written on the board and stay there for the whole activity.
- 3
Single-instrument rounds: play four to six short clips, one instrument at a time. After each clip students quietly decide, then on the count of three hold up the red card （中国传统） or blue card （西方） and say the clue they used, for example "I think it is plucked" or "the sound rings and blooms"。 The teacher then reveals the instrument and its family on the board and ticks off which clue was the giveaway.
- 4
Clue hunt before the market opens: each group receives the eight instrument picture cards face up. Choosing one card at a time, the group plays that instrument's clip, listens twice, and then writes the name of the instrument plus one listening clue on the back of the card (for example “zhudi — blown, bright and clear”； “pipa — plucked, each note rings and then dies away”）. No card enters the market until it has one clue written on the back.
- 5
The market opens: the teacher reviews the rule — to trade a card, you must hand it over and describe the instrument it shows by naming the family and saying its listening clue; the partner listens and nods to agree, and only then do the cards change hands. The teacher walks around as the market keeper, checking the clues that are spoken.
- 6
Hidden instruments: with clues exchanged, the teacher plays one mixed excerpt in which two instruments take turns playing the melody. Groups decide which two instruments they hear and in what order, and write their answer on a slip.
- 7
Reveal and wrap-up: the teacher reveals the two instruments and the whole class returns to the checklist on the board to discuss which clue finally settled it — how the sound was made, its sound quality, or how it rang on.
Activity Preparation
1.Audio clips of Chinese and Western instruments;
2.instrument picture cards;
projector or speaker.
Activity Sources
- Source Type:
- Website / Online resource
- Source:
- China Music Education Network / 中国音乐教育网 — Elementary Listening-Centered Music Teaching Resources
- Adaptation Notes:
- A trading "market" rule is added so students must verbally justify their family choice, turning passive listening into active discussion.
MAPS teaching activities may come from a variety of sources, including original contributions by the MAPS team, online resources, published materials, activities learned from teachers, activities shared by colleagues, traditional teaching practices, and other sources. When a source can be reasonably identified, we make every effort to acknowledge it on the relevant activity page or in the accompanying reference information.
Some content may be organized, translated, structured, or adapted by the MAPS team for specific teaching contexts. Such editorial or instructional adaptation does not mean that MAPS claims ownership of the underlying third-party material. Rights to third-party content remain with the original authors, publishers, or other lawful rights holders.
If you are an author, copyright holder, or authorized representative and have questions or concerns regarding the source, attribution, or use of any content, please contact us:
Email: musicactivityps@gmail.com
Instrument Family Market
Summary
Students sort recorded instrument sounds into Chinese traditional and Western families, then justify their choices in a lively listening market.
Procedures
- 1
Two families on the board: the teacher writes 中国传统乐器 on one side and 西方乐器 on the other, shows the eight pictures (erhu, pipa, zhudi, guzheng / violin, flute, trumpet, piano), and explains that these two groups are called instrument families.
- 2
First clues — our listening checklist: the teacher plays one instrument and models what to listen for — (a) How the sound is produced: using a bow, plucking the strings with fingers, blowing with breath, or striking the instrument. (b) sound quality: bright or dark? thin or rich? (c) resonance: does the sound ring on and bloom (like a struck or plucked string), or does it stay even and smooth while it is played (like a bowed or blown tone)? These three clues are written on the board and stay there for the whole activity.
- 3
Single-instrument rounds: play four to six short clips, one instrument at a time. After each clip students quietly decide, then on the count of three hold up the red card （中国传统） or blue card （西方） and say the clue they used, for example "I think it is plucked" or "the sound rings and blooms"。 The teacher then reveals the instrument and its family on the board and ticks off which clue was the giveaway.
- 4
Clue hunt before the market opens: each group receives the eight instrument picture cards face up. Choosing one card at a time, the group plays that instrument's clip, listens twice, and then writes the name of the instrument plus one listening clue on the back of the card (for example “zhudi — blown, bright and clear”； “pipa — plucked, each note rings and then dies away”）. No card enters the market until it has one clue written on the back.
- 5
The market opens: the teacher reviews the rule — to trade a card, you must hand it over and describe the instrument it shows by naming the family and saying its listening clue; the partner listens and nods to agree, and only then do the cards change hands. The teacher walks around as the market keeper, checking the clues that are spoken.
- 6
Hidden instruments: with clues exchanged, the teacher plays one mixed excerpt in which two instruments take turns playing the melody. Groups decide which two instruments they hear and in what order, and write their answer on a slip.
- 7
Reveal and wrap-up: the teacher reveals the two instruments and the whole class returns to the checklist on the board to discuss which clue finally settled it — how the sound was made, its sound quality, or how it rang on.
Activity Preparation
1.Audio clips of Chinese and Western instruments;
2.instrument picture cards;
projector or speaker.
Activity Sources
- Source Type:
- Website / Online resource
- Source:
- China Music Education Network / 中国音乐教育网 — Elementary Listening-Centered Music Teaching Resources
- Adaptation Notes:
- A trading "market" rule is added so students must verbally justify their family choice, turning passive listening into active discussion.
MAPS teaching activities may come from a variety of sources, including original contributions by the MAPS team, online resources, published materials, activities learned from teachers, activities shared by colleagues, traditional teaching practices, and other sources. When a source can be reasonably identified, we make every effort to acknowledge it on the relevant activity page or in the accompanying reference information.
Some content may be organized, translated, structured, or adapted by the MAPS team for specific teaching contexts. Such editorial or instructional adaptation does not mean that MAPS claims ownership of the underlying third-party material. Rights to third-party content remain with the original authors, publishers, or other lawful rights holders.
If you are an author, copyright holder, or authorized representative and have questions or concerns regarding the source, attribution, or use of any content, please contact us:
Email: musicactivityps@gmail.com
