ZIMSEC O Level · Musical Arts · Form 2, Form 3, Form 4
The Hornbostel–Sachs classification
- Idiophones: the instrument itself vibrates (mbira, marimba, hosho, xylophone, bells).
- Membranophones: a stretched skin vibrates (drums).
- Chordophones: strings vibrate (guitar, violin, bow instruments such as chipendani).
- Aerophones: vibrating air (flute, trumpet, horns, whistles).
- Electrophones: produce sound electronically (keyboard, synthesiser).
The orchestra
Four families: strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon), brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba) and percussion (timpani, drums, cymbals).
Voices
Soprano and alto (higher voices), tenor and bass (lower voices) – the SATB choir. Choral music is very popular in Zimbabwean schools and churches.
How sound is produced
Sound is produced by vibration; faster vibrations give higher pitch; bigger vibrations give louder sound. Resonators (gourds, boxes, tubes) amplify the sound.
Exam tip: Classify instruments by HOW the sound is made, not by the material they are made of.
Check yourself
- To which class does the mbira belong?
- What does SATB stand for?
- Why is a gourd (deze) used with the mbira?
Show answers
- Idiophone.
- Soprano, alto, tenor, bass.
- It acts as a resonator, making the sound louder and richer.
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