There are hundreds of different instruments but all have one simple principle – they create vibrations. Different instruments use vibrations in different ways. Generally the larger the instrument the lower the pitch. The way the instrument produces vibrations and the materials they use also changes the quality of the sound (timbre) produced.

When you listen to these Minutes try to work out how the sound is being made, what size the instrument is and what is happening to the vibrations.

Where are these instruments being played?

Is anyone else nearby? How can you tell?

How are they making their sounds?

Describe how the vibrations were produced and then travelled to the microphone.