Free teacher web sites for Music topic ‘Unit 2: Sounds Interesting’

Explore environmental sounds on the beach with Robbie and Curly. Sounds are also categorised according to whether they have a steady beat or not. A fun little matching activity that children love.

External link: BBC Musical Mysteries

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

Select the 'Take a seat in the orchestra' option on this site to explore the different sections of the orchestra, with a great range of sound clips, useful facts, pictures and information.

External link: Explore the sound colours of the orchestra

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

A how-to guide to making a range of musical instruments with everyday objects. The difference between this page and your average cereal-box-plus-elastic-bands venture is that the designs suggested here may well produce some decent sounds. Not to be snooty about these matters, you understand.

External link: Making musical instruments

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use

This is a basic but workable virtual xylophone - not as good as the real thing (it only has six notes!), but it does have a record and play-back function so that users can experiment with the sounds and then listen to their creations.

External link: Online Xylophone

• suitable for class use

Using the number keys on the keyboard, this site allows you to play a scale of C with oboe, clarinet or marimba. Also nice that the notes of the scale are highlighted as they are played.

External link: Play scales online

• suitable for class use

Explore instrumental sounds on your interactive whiteboard or in the ICT suite using this virtual keyboard.

External link: Virtual keyboard

• suitable for class use

• suitable for teachers’ personal use