The
Activity Guide
Design: Marie-Claude Cover illustration: Mathilde Filippi
List of
Have fun with the activities while learning about and testing your knowledge of the OSM, orchestral instruments, and symphonic pieces.
05
What instrument are you?
Map of musical instruments
01
09
Unconventional instruments
06
Time to draw
10
Une chanson à l'école
02
Listening Game
07
Bruitage
03
Journalist for a day
11
The OSM Board Game
04
Build your own percussion instrument
08
Pixel Challenge
12
Musical Quiz
Activities for groups and/or individuals
Various target groups
Multiple levels
Variable durations
The map of musical
instruments
Discover the placement of orchestral instruments and their families through our interactive map. Then test your knowledge!
Instrument families
Activities
The instruments of the orchestra
Pourquoi les instruments sont-ils placés comme ça sur scène ?
The instruments
of the orchestra
Look at how the instruments are placed on the stage. Click on each group of instruments to learn their names and hear how they sound.
Conductor’s podium
OSM musicians need to work as a team to play the pieces in the symphonic repertoire. They all belong to smaller groups, which we also call families. In fact, an orchestra has 4 instrument families, each with its own spot and role on the stage. Click on the 4 pictures to learn more!
Instrument
families
Woodwinds
Percussions
Click here to group the instruments into their families!
Brass
Strings
Conductor’s podium
The map
of instruments
The map of instruments!
Move the instruments to their usual spots on the orchestra map. Use the audio clips to help you. Do you remember where all the instruments go?Click the "Instructions" button to hide this window.
Instructions
Answers
Conductor's podium
Indices
Game
Who plays what?
Can you match each musician with their instrument?
compteur
ANSWERS
CHECK
Listening
GAME
Level 1
Try to guess which image goes with which piece of music without knowing the titles! Drag the photos onto the corresponding squares when you think you have found the correct match.
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Listening Game
Level 1
4.
3.
2.
1.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 1
1. Duetto buffo di due gatti de Rossini (The Cat Duet)
2. The Swanby Saint-Saëns
3. The Wasps by Vaughan Williams
4. Walking the Dog by Gershwin
Level 2
Listening Game
Level 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 2
1. Different Trains by Steve Reich
2. Le chant des oiseaux by Janequin
3. Jeux d'eau by Ravel
4. Alpine Symphony byR. Strauss
Level 3
Listening Game
Level 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 3
1. William Tell Overture by Rossini
2. Aquarium by Saint-Saëns
3. Clair de lune by Debussy
4. Morning mood by Grieg
Level 4
Listening Game
Level 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 4
1. The Spider’s Feast by Roussel
2. The Wedding March by Mendelssohn
3. The Duck Theme from Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev
4. Jaws Theme by John Williams
Level 5
Listening Game
The composer Vivaldi wrote a piece called The Four Seasons. Can you guess which season corresponds to each of the following movements?
Level 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 5
2. Summer
1. Spring
3. Fall
4. Winter
Journalist for a day
Helpful questions
Instructions
- How would you describe this piece to someone who has never heard it?
- Is the piece you chose fast or slow, loud or soft?
- Had you heard this piece before?
- What does the music excerpt you chose make you think of? (for example: a walk in the forest, a rainy day, etc.)
- Did you recognize the instrument or instruments playing the melody?
- Did you like the piece? Explain why.
In this activity, you take on the role of a journalist. You will listen to a piece of music and write a short review presenting it.
musical excerpts
Select one of the pieces below and respond to the questions in the column on the right to help you write your critique.
Take a look at this photo of Rafael Payare conducting the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal at the Maison symphonique.
Si tu préfères, tu peux aussi faire la critique d'une pièce de musique que tu connais déjà!
Did you know?
Build your own
Percussion Instrument
You can build your own percussion instrument using everyday objects.
Maracas
Drum
Build your own
Idiophone
What is an idiophone?
Maracas
What you will need:1) an empty water bottle 2) rice/dry legumes/pasta 2) scissors, paint, stickers, etc. Instructions Take the water bottle and fill it with the rice, the dry legumes (such as lentils), or the pasta, and give it a shake. Decorate it to your liking. Your maracas are finished!
Different techniques
to play maracas
Build your own
membranophone
What is a membranophone?
The drum
You will need: 1) an empty tin can (make sure the edges are not sharp) 2) a birthday balloon 3) a rubber band 4) scissors, paint, stickers, etc. 5) an unsharpened pencil or a small glue stick Instructions Cut off the bottom of the balloon, then cover the opening of the tin can with the rest of the balloon. It should be stretched tight and smooth. To make sure it stays on the can, add a rubber band. Now you can play your drum with a mini drumstick (an unsharpened pencil, a small glue stick, and so on)!
What instrument are you?
Instructions
Find out which instrument is hidden inside you!Answer the 12 questions and tally how many times you chose each letter. Then answer a final question to reveal the instrument that matches you best!
START
Question 1
You prefer to work...
In a large group.
In a small group.
Sometimes alone, sometimes in a group.
On your own.
Question 2
Your favorite role in a project is to…
Present the finished product to everyone.
Lead the organization of the project.
Help others as needed.
Add a touch of originality.
Question 3
Your greatest strength is…
your empathy
your reliability
your perseverance
your creativity
Question 4
What is your favorite season?
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Question 5
If you were an element, you would be…
Fire
Water
Earth
Air
Question 6
When a conversation goes silent, you feel…
uncomfortable
that it is a chance to catch your breath
that it is a moment you have been looking forward to
that it is an opportunity to start a new topic
Question 7
Your minor flaw, let’s be honest, is…
You want to run the show
You let yourself go unnoticed too much
You’re not fond of change
You always want to do everything differently
Question 8
What you love most about music are…
Fast and virtuosic melodies
Harmonies – the accompanying notes that go with the melody
The low notes that resonate
Unexpected, unusual moments
Question 9
If you were a landscape, you would be...
A sunrise
A forest at twilight
A crackling fire under the night sky
A majestic storm
Question 10
If you were a piece of music, you would be...
A pop song
A graceful symphony
A soulful jazz tune
The theme of an epic movie
Question 11
Which proverb speaks to you the most?
Every cloud has a silver lining
Sleep on it.
Better late than never.
The early bird catches the worm.
Question 12
If you had to express an emotion, it would be…
Confidence
Melancholy
Anticipation
Awe
Score tally
Time to check your results! Click the letter you scored the highest on, then answer one last question to reveal your instrument!
Profile A
Which quality describes you best?
You were born to lead!
You are a true optimist!
You have a lot of charisma.
You are honest to the core!
Profile B
What describes you best?
You love keeping traditions alive!
You are low-key and reliable!
You are always cool and collected!
You are curious.
You are kind and friendly
Profile C
What best describes you?
You are self-confident.
You are rather reserved
You are lively and frank.
You are protective.
Profile D
What best describes you?
You are very creative.
You do not give up easily
You are always full of energy.
You are a violin!
The violin is part of the string family! Due to their small size, violins play the highest notes in the string family. They usually play melodies, whose rhythms are sometimes very complex.
The most numerous members of their family, they are divided into two sections: first violins and second violins. Composers generally write a different musical part for each of these two sections. Violinists usually play sitting down, holding their instrument between their shoulder and chin, but they can also play standing up!
You are a viola!
The viola is part of the string family. It is slightly larger than the violin, is held in the same way, and can play lower notes. It has a warm tone.
In the orchestra, the violas often have the role of supporting the melody played by the violins. The viola section thus adds depth to the melodies and completes the harmonies. That said, some composers do occasionally use it as a solo instrument!
You are a cello!
The cello is part of the string family. It is larger than the violin and viola, and smaller than the double bass. It has a metal pole, called a spike, which is anchored into the ground to support the instrument. To play it, the cellist plays in a seated position and leans the instrument against their body.
It is often said that the cello has the timbre that most closely resembles the human voice. A cello solo can stir deep emotions, so striking are its vibrations!
You are a double bass!
The double bass is part of the string family. The double bass is larger than the violin, viola, and cello - it measures about 2 meters! That’s why double bass players have to sit on a high stool to play or remain standing!
With a lower range than the cello, the double bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of the string family.
You are a flute!
The flute is part of the woodwind family. In the 17th century, the modern flute replaced the recorder in the orchestra. It has a range of about three octaves. There is a whole family of flutes, including a small flute with very high-pitched sounds: the piccolo. The piccolo is half the length of the flute.
The flute is sometimes called the “transverse flute.” The word transverse describes the horizontal position of the instrument across the player's face and to the right. It’s as if the player’s mouth and face are being “traversed” by the instrument!
You are an oboe!
The oboe is part of the woodwind family. The oboe has a very distinctive timbre: it is said to be nasal! This is why Sergei Prokofiev chose the oboe to represent the duck in the famous story of Peter and the Wolf. Although its tone can sometimes seem nasal, this instrument can also move listeners with beautiful soft melodies!
Did you know?
Tuning
You are a clarinet!
The clarinet is part of the woodwind family. There are three main types of clarinet found in an orchestra: the small E-flat clarinet, which has a very high pitch; the B-flat clarinet, which is the most common; and the bass clarinet, which is much larger and plays lower notes! All three are made of ebony, a very rare wood that grows naturally in southern Africa and gives them a warm, round tone.
Clarinets joined the orchestra around the time of Mozart, in the 18th century. They have a broad range of notes: more than 4 octaves!
You are a bassoon!
The bassoon is part of the woodwind family. The bassoon is a long tube measuring 2.5 meters that folds back on itself. It is made of maple or rosewood. The low notes of the bassoon and its big brother, the contrabassoon, are produced by blowing into a double reed fixed to a metal tube: the crook. The sound then travels through a U-shaped tube. A bassoonist holds their instrument leaning to one side over their right hip.
You are a horn!
The horn belongs to the brass family. Easily recognizable by its circular shape, the name of the horn comes from the animal horns used to make the earliest versions. The horn has a warm sound. It features a mouthpiece, rotary valves (which allow the player to change notes), a large bell, and several meters of coiled and folded metal tubing. To play it, the horn player places their right hand inside the bell and their left hand on the valves.
You are a trumpet!
The trumpet has the highest-pitched sound in its family, and its distant military past gives it a bright, brilliant tone! Made of brass, it consists of a cylindrical tube about 1.5 meters long, coiled back on itself. This tube ends with a mouthpiece on one side and a bell on the other.
It was the invention of valves in 1814 that allowed the trumpet to play notes with great precision!
You are a trombone!
The trombone belongs to the brass family. With this instrument, there’s no longer a need for pistons and valves! With nearly 4 meters of tubing, it is the only brass instrument to use a slide. The slide allows the player to change the pitch of the notes and produce a wide variety of sound effects. It was the trombone’s flexibility that allowed it to join the orchestra in the 19th century.
Did you know?
Trombone
You are a tuba!
The tuba is the lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family. It is also the one that requires the most air. To shorten or lengthen the distance the air has to travel between the mouthpiece and the bell, the tubist can use up to 6 valves.
In addition to playing the bass line in a piece, the tuba can also carry sustained melodies in the low register. The depth of the sounds produced by this instrument can give certain passages a tone that is either comical or mournful!
The tuba consists of a tube 5.5 to 6 meters long that coils around itself!
You are a percussion instrument!
The percussion instruments are located at the very back of the orchestra. Some are made of wood, metal, or even skin (membrane) stretched over a wooden frame. To play them, percussionists strike them, shake them, or even scratch them. Percussionists are very versatile, and can even play several different instruments within a single piece!
You are the timpani!
The timpani belong to the percussion family. They are what are called membranophones: instruments with a skin stretched over a frame. In addition, timpani can play precise notes and can be tuned (the tighter the skin, the higher the pitch). Timpani play an essential role in the orchestra. They help to punctuate the musical narrative (for example, by creating suspense) and often provide the final emphasis.
You are a harp!
In the symphony orchestra, the harp is the most valuable of all the plucked string instruments! Even though it is an ancient instrument, it never appeared in orchestras before the 19th century. To play it, the musician leans the instrument against their right shoulder and plucks the strings with all their fingers except the pinky.
Did you know?
The harp
You are a piano!
The piano is a struck string instrument. It produces sound through small felt-covered hammers that strike metal strings. With its 88 black and white keys, it has the widest range of any instrument in the orchestra!
The piano is not always present in the orchestra, and few symphonic works include a part written for it... It was only integrated into this type of musical ensemble toward the end of the 19th century!
Time to draw
As an illustrator, your job is to use your imagination to create new drawings every day! You can make illustrations for all kinds of things, like books, movies, greeting cards, or wall posters. In this activity, you will be drawing a fantastic creature inspired by music!
Some creatures to discover
Different tools to draw
What's a fantastic creature?
Music to inspire you
What's a fantastic creature?
A fantastic creature does not exist in reality. They are found in stories, films, paintings, dreams and so on.
Fantastic creatures are often based on elements of reality, but with a twist! A good example would be a 3-headed dog. Dogs do exist, but have you ever seen one in the park with 3 heads?!?!
Fantastic creatures sometimes have magical powers or superpowers, such as flying, becoming invisible or breathing fire.
Fantastic creatures are sometimes nice, sometimes nasty, depending on the story and your imagination!
Some creatures to discover
Illustrations by Frédéric Ellis
Different tools
Do you always use the same pencils when you draw? Probably not! Sometimes you use felt-tip pens, other times wax crayons or wooden pencils. When you are an illustrator, you have got plenty of tools at your disposal. You can even work with multiple tools for a single project. Click on the buttons on the right to learn more.
Illustration by Frédéric Ellis
Music to inspire you
It's time to try your hand at drawing a fantastic creature to music! Choose one of the suggested pieces and draw a fantastic creature while listening to the music. Is your creature nice or naughty, small or huge, multicolored or black-and-white? There's no room for error: it's YOUR imaginary creature!
Une chanson à l'école
Since 2021, the OSM has been collaborating with Culture pour tous to offer young people the project Une chanson à l'école as part of Les journées de la culture!
Activity in French only
This year, you can learn the French song Haut les cœurs! by Sarahmée (lyrics, music, and even choreography if you want), which celebrates the power of numbers, the magic of a smile, and the importance of friendship.
Photos: Vivien Gaumand
Activité de
Bruitage
Dans cette activité, tu seras appelé à faire du bruitage!
Une vidéo vaut 1000 mots
Le bruitage c'est quoi?
À Ton tour de jouer
Des histoires à orchestrer
Le bruitage, c'est quoi?
Quand on est bruiteuse ou bruiteur, on crée des sons pour rendre une histoire, un dessin animé ou un film plus vivant. Par exemple, on peut faire le bruit des pas, de la pluie ou d’un monstre en utilisant des objets du quotidien. Ça permet de rendre l'histoire plus réaliste.
Observe les objets utilisés dans la vidéo... on peut en effet utiliser de tout pour tenter de recréer un son. Observe aussi comment chaque objet est utilisé un à la suite de l'autre, comme une chorégraphie.
Observe ici comment on peut faire plein de sons différents avec du papier et du carton.
Des histoires à orchestrer
Pour cette activité tu devras choisir les sons de ton choix pour compléter les 3 histoires. Les sons sont tout autour de l’histoire. Tu peux les écouter en cliquant sur les icônes. Puis, tu peux déplacer les sons choisis aux endroits endroits!
La montgolfière de Lila
La vampire de l'orchestre
Le voyage de Renardo
La vampire de l'orchestre
Un soir de pleine lune, dans une grande salle, l’orchestre de l’école répétait pour le grand concert. Tout allait bien, quand soudain… Une flaque gluante apparut au milieu de la scène !
De la flaque sortit… Octavia, une petite vampire en costume noir qui adorait la musique. Elle portait une cape noire et ses pas faisaient beaucoup de bruits quand elle marchait.
« Bonsoir… puis-je jouer avec vous ? », demanda Octavia d’une voix douce. Les musicien.nes hésitèrent… mais le chef d’orchestre dit : « Pourquoi pas ? Quel est ton instrument ? » Octavia pointa un instrument de musique et joua quelques notes.
Quand elle joua, tout l’orchestre l’accompagna, et la salle se remplit d’une musique magnifique.
Depuis ce jour, Octavia vient jouer à chaque pleine lune, accompagnée d'un nuage de chauve-souris.
Le voyage de Renardo
Renardo se promenait dans la forêt quand il entendit un grand "CRAC !" sous ses pattes.
À ce moment, il leva les yeux et vit un papillon doré qui volait lentement, comme s’il lui montrait un chemin secret. Renardo le suivi en marchant tout doucement.
Renardo le suivit jusqu’à une clairière remplie de fleurs colorées. En arrivant, le vent se mit à souffler doucement, faisant danser les feuilles.
Au milieu des fleurs, il trouva des percussions oubliées. Renardo tapa dessus plusieurs fois en créant un rhythme entraînant qui remplit la clairière.
Renardo arrêta pour respirer. Puis, les oiseaux se mirent à chanter et à tourner autour de lui. Quelle belle journée!
La montgolfière de Lila
Lila rêvait de toucher les nuages, alors un matin, elle fabriqua une montgolfière avec des draps colorés. Quand elle alluma le feu sous le ballon, on entendit un léger bruit.
La montgolfière s’éleva lentement dans le ciel, accompagnée d’une musique légère. D’en haut, Lila voyait les toits minuscules et les rivières qui scintillaient.
Soudain, un nuage passa devant elle. Le vent se mit à souffler fort, et la montgolfière tanguait de gauche à droite.
Lila resta calme et avec raison! Quelques instants plus tard, le nuage avait disparu et elleentendit les oiseaux chanter au loin.
Alors que le soleil se couchait, Lila redescendit doucement, le cœur rempli d’aventures. Elle se mit alors à chantonner son air de musique préféré.
À ton tour de jouer!
À l'écriture Écris une courte histoire (de 10 à 20 phrases) dans laquelle tu pourras incorporer des effets sonores ou de la musique.
Au bruitage Avec des objets du quotidien et/ou des instruments de musique, donne vie à ton histoire avec des sons!
Au tournage! Enregistre ton histoire avec un.e narrateur/trice et différentes personnes qui font le bruitage.
The viola
The violin
The horn
Tempo
Dynamics
Timbre
The cello
The Maison symphonique
The trombone
The OSM Board Game
DIE
Instructions
The OSM
The tuba
TOKENS and HOUSES
The conductor
Theoboe
START
The octobass
The piano
The harp
The xylophone
The bassoon
Timpani
The celesta
Unconventional instruments - Part 1
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
An instrument in which a wheel operated by a crank causes the strings to vibrate.
Hurdy-gurdy
An electronic musical instrument with a keyboard.
Ondes martenot
An electronic musical instrument played without any physical contact.
Theremin
A cross between a violin and a trumpet.
A wind instrument shaped like a snake.
Serpent
Stroh violin
Unconventional instruments - Part 2
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
A long wind instrument made of wood or metal.
Alphorn
An instrument with metal tines.
Kalimba
An instrument with crystal plates and glasses.
Cristal Baschet
A very large stringed instrument that is taller than a human being.
Octobass
The nyckelharpa is a Swedish bowed string instrument with keys.
Nyckelharpa
Unconventional instruments - Part 3
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
The gamelan is a traditional Indonesian ensemble.
Gamelan
Rimba Tubes are tubular percussion instruments.
Rimba Tubes
The glass harmonica is an instrument composed of rotating glass discs.
Glass harmonica
A complex mechanical instrument operated by marbles.
The waterphone is a metallic percussion instrument containing a small amount of water.
Waterphone
Marble machine
pixel Challenge
Guess what the hidden image is using the fewest clicks possible.
Start
Click on the image to reveal it if you can't see it clearly… but watch out! the fewer clicks you need, the better.
NEXT
NEXT
Next
Next
NEXT
Game over
Thank you for playing!
Musical Quiz
Instructions
02:30
You will only have this amount of time to answer questions.
instructions
Click on the roulette to find out which color to play with. Decide if you bet 1, 2, or 3 points. You will add points if you guess right and subtract points if you guess wrong. Answer as many questions as you can before time runs out and don't forget to keep track of the points you earn!
Start
02:30
The percussions
The BRass instruments
the WOodwinds
General knowledge
The OSM
The Strings
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+3
+3
+3
+3
+3
+3
Spin the wheel now!
Scores
Points count results
Less than 5 points
between 5 and 10 points
Between 10 and 20 points
More than 20 POINTS
The brass instruments
It's time to change the game order! Everyone must roll the die to determine the new playing order. The highest number goes first. In case of a tie, roll the die again.
The Strings
Oil Painting
Oil paint is applied with a brush. It's an oil-based paint (you don't need to mix it with water to use it). This type of paint takes a long time to dry, compared with aquarelle (water-based paint). Here, Frédéric used oil paint to make the dragon's green skin!
Minotaur
A minotaur is a monster with the body of a man and the head and tail of a bull. The minotaur is present in Greek mythology, where it is described as a cannibal (who feeds on human beings).
Composer Harrison Birtwistle has written an opera about a minotaur. It's a very dark piece of music. You can listen to an excerpt here:
The conductor
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Quelques idées de thématiques
- Un enfant ou une créature apprend à surmonter sa peur du noir, du tonnerre, ou d’un monstre imaginaire.
- Une aventure dans la forêt, à la ferme ou dans la mer en compagnie d'animaux.
- Le monde des humains vu par une fourmi.
- Un enfant explore un pays magique en secret pendant la nuit.
- Des toutous qui prennent vie quand personne ne regarde.
- Un enfant part sur la Lune.
- Ton premier jour à l'école.
The woodwinds
Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
A mechanically bowed string instrument, where a wheel turned by a crank vibrates the strings to produce a continuous sound.
Hurdy-gurdy
An electronic musical instrument played without touch, by moving the hands near two antennas to control pitch and volume.
Theremin
An electronic musical instrument that produces sounds using a keyboard and a ribbon to control pitch.
Ondes martenot
A violin whose resonating body ends in a flared horn, amplifying the sound in a louder and brighter way.
Stroh violin
An ancient wind instrument shaped like a tube curved like a serpent.
Serpent
Dynamics
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The HARP
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The OSM
The game is played with 3 to 4 players or 3 to 4 teams. Each player/team must choose a color: blue, green, yellow, or pink. Everyone has a token to mark their position and 10 houses to indicate the properties acquired throughout the game. Click on the die to determine the turn order. The highest roll goes first. At the beginning, each player puts their token on the starting space. On your turn, click the die and move your token accordingly. On each colored square, there is a question. If you answer it correctly, place one of your houses on that square. Congratulations, you have just acquired a new property! Special spaces: the spaces with icons contain penalties or challenges. Continue playing until all the colored squares have been claimed by a team. The player or team with the most houses on the board when all the squares are occupied wins the game. If you land on a space that is already owned by another team, it remains the property of your opponent.
There is an orchestra of instruments made from recycled objects. Listen to a few musicians from this ensemble play an excerpt from Pachelbel’s Canon.
The BasSOON
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Timpani
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The brass instruments
timbre
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The OSM
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Felt-tip pens
Like you, Frédéric uses felt-tip pens! Here, Frédéric used a black felt-tip pen to make the dragon's scales and claws! Notice how he used different sizes of felt-tip pen to make the different details.
The octobass
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The cello
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Troll
A troll is a hideous (very ugly) and dangerous creature. Trolls are described as giant, unintelligent creatures. They are often found in the stories and legends of Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway and Iceland.
Listen to composer Edvard Grieg's March of the Trolls.
🤩
Congratulations! Your knowledge is admirable!
more than 20 POINTS
Need a challenge?
Try to finish drawing your creature before the music ends! Make sure to add plenty of details, though. You can even include objects in your drawing to bring your creature to life!
It's your lucky day! Roll the die again and keep moving forward :)
tuning
Just before the beginning of the concert, once all the musicians have taken their places on stage, the concertmaster makes their entrance. It is the signal that the orchestra will start tuning!
The oboe will play the note A, in order for all the musicians to adjust their instruments according to that note. But, not everyone tunes at the same time! First come the wind instruments, and then the string instruments.
When everyone is ready, the conductor makes their entrance on stage, usually greeted by applause from the public.
Let the concert begin!
Mermaids
Mermaids are magnificent creatures. They have a woman's upper body and a fish tail. In stories, they are sometimes gentle, sometimes naughty. They are often described as having beautiful voices.
Try to imagine a group of mermaids in the water with this piece by composer Claude Debussy Sirènes.
The woodwinds
It's time for a challenge! Sing the chorus of your favorite song to earn the right to play again!
Culture générale
The oboe
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The horn
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
An instrument where crystal plates and glasses are rubbed with wet fingers, producing sounds amplified by a metal structure.
Cristal Baschet
A very large stringed instrument, taller than a human, that produces extremely low notes, below the range of the double bass.
Octobass
A Swedish stringed instrument with keys that allow the pitch of the notes to be changed while being played with a bow.
Nyckelharpa
An instrument with metal tines attached to a sound box, played by plucking the tines with the thumbs.
Kalimba
The alphorn is a long wind instrument made of wood or brass. It is traditional in Alpine regions and produces a powerful, deep sound.
Alphorn
TIME's up!
Have you added up all your points? Let's check what position you finished in.
scores
Roll the die. If you get an even number, give one of your properties to an opponent of your choice. If you get an odd number, steal a property from an opponent of your choice. Good luck!
Objects
Frédéric likes to use objects we have around the house to help him make drawings. Whether it's a paper clip, a button or scissors, any object can be used to create certain parts of an illustration. Here, he used two leaves to make the dragon's wings!
Did you know there are so many ways to play maracas? Watch this— in less than a minute, the percussionist shows off a variety of techniques. Which is your favorite?
The MAison symphonique
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The strings
General knowledge
Charcoal Drawing
Charcoal is in fact a stick of charcoal. It's all black and it is very handy when one wants to draw shadows. Different sizes of charcoal are available for smaller or larger details. You can also use your fingers or an eraser to spread the charcoal on the paper and create different effects. Here, Frédéric used it to make the dragon's belly and part of its tail. Watch this video to see an artist at work with charcoal!
The Woodwinds
The Tuba
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
tempo
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The percussions
Roll the die. If you get a 1, steal a property from an opponent of your choice.
UNICORN
A unicorn is a very rare creature. It is said to be pure, innocent, kind. A unicorn is a horse with a horn in the middle of its forehead. They're often drawn all in white, but not all the time!
Imagine a unicorn galloping through composer Murray Schafer's choral piece:
Roll the die. If you get a 6, steal a property from an opponent of your choice.
Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
Tubular percussion instruments of various lengths, made of plastic or metal, which produce melodic sounds when struck.
Rimba tubes
A traditional Indonesian ensemble consisting mainly of metallophones, gongs, and drums.
Gamelan
A metallic percussion instrument containing water, whose vibrations produce sounds.
Waterphone
A complex mechanical instrument operated by marbles that produce percussive and melodic sounds.
Marble machine
An instrument consisting of rotating glass discs that produce sounds when rubbed with wet fingers.
Glass harmonica
Sphinx
Il existe 2 types de sphinx. Les sphinx de l'Égypte ancienne ont le corps d'un lion et la tête d'un homme. Les sphinx dans la mythologie grecque ont le bas du corps d'un lion, le haut du corps et la tête d'une femme et les ailes d'un oiseau. Les sphinx sont souvent représentés comme des gardiens à l'entrée de temples.
Imagine une créature grande et magnifique dans le mouvement Sphinx de la pièce de Roberto Sierra.
Start and stop the music
You can listen to music excerpts through the guide. Just click the musical notes icon to start or stop the music.
😌
Between 5 AND 10 points
You're on the right track! You know quite a bit, but there's still room for improvement. Keep trying!
general knowledge
The piano
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The viola
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The percussions
Did you know..
The ancestor of the trombone was called the sackbut!
😊
Wow, impressive! You have great knowledge and it's clear you know what you're talking about. Keep it up!
between 10 and 20 points
The brass instruments
The OSM
More than 5 points
😓
Don't give up! Every attempt is an opportunity to learn more.
Conductor's podium
Choose an opponent of your choice who must skip their turn!
The Strings
GOBLIN
A goblin is a creature that likes to play tricks (mischievous). Goblins are small and ugly.
Try to imagine a goblin playing tricks as you listen to Dvořák's piece about a goblin who lives in water!
Did you know...
The harp has 47 strings and 7 pedals. The pedals are used to change the pitch of the notes played. There is one pedal for each note (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
The Xylophone
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The trombone
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
The Percussions
The VIOLIN
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Did you know it's the same for composers?
Like an illustrator, a composer has plenty of tools at his or her disposal to write music... instruments! Listen here to the same melody from Peter and the Wolf played by different instruments. Do all instruments sound the same?
Violin Double bass Oboe
Flute Tuba Piano
Your token is stuck! Skip your next turn...
The OSM
THe CELESTA
* Answer the question on this card to acquire the property. *Place a house of your color to indicate that it is your property.
Your token is stuck! Skip your next turn...
EN - Guide d'activités musicales - primaire
Orchestre Montréal
Created on January 19, 2026
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Transcript
The
Activity Guide
Design: Marie-Claude Cover illustration: Mathilde Filippi
List of
Have fun with the activities while learning about and testing your knowledge of the OSM, orchestral instruments, and symphonic pieces.
05
What instrument are you?
Map of musical instruments
01
09
Unconventional instruments
06
Time to draw
10
Une chanson à l'école
02
Listening Game
07
Bruitage
03
Journalist for a day
11
The OSM Board Game
04
Build your own percussion instrument
08
Pixel Challenge
12
Musical Quiz
Activities for groups and/or individuals
Various target groups
Multiple levels
Variable durations
The map of musical
instruments
Discover the placement of orchestral instruments and their families through our interactive map. Then test your knowledge!
Instrument families
Activities
The instruments of the orchestra
Pourquoi les instruments sont-ils placés comme ça sur scène ?
The instruments
of the orchestra
Look at how the instruments are placed on the stage. Click on each group of instruments to learn their names and hear how they sound.
Conductor’s podium
OSM musicians need to work as a team to play the pieces in the symphonic repertoire. They all belong to smaller groups, which we also call families. In fact, an orchestra has 4 instrument families, each with its own spot and role on the stage. Click on the 4 pictures to learn more!
Instrument
families
Woodwinds
Percussions
Click here to group the instruments into their families!
Brass
Strings
Conductor’s podium
The map
of instruments
The map of instruments!
Move the instruments to their usual spots on the orchestra map. Use the audio clips to help you. Do you remember where all the instruments go?Click the "Instructions" button to hide this window.
Instructions
Answers
Conductor's podium
Indices
Game
Who plays what?
Can you match each musician with their instrument?
compteur
ANSWERS
CHECK
Listening
GAME
Level 1
Try to guess which image goes with which piece of music without knowing the titles! Drag the photos onto the corresponding squares when you think you have found the correct match.
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Listening Game
Level 1
4.
3.
2.
1.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 1
1. Duetto buffo di due gatti de Rossini (The Cat Duet)
2. The Swanby Saint-Saëns
3. The Wasps by Vaughan Williams
4. Walking the Dog by Gershwin
Level 2
Listening Game
Level 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 2
1. Different Trains by Steve Reich
2. Le chant des oiseaux by Janequin
3. Jeux d'eau by Ravel
4. Alpine Symphony byR. Strauss
Level 3
Listening Game
Level 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 3
1. William Tell Overture by Rossini
2. Aquarium by Saint-Saëns
3. Clair de lune by Debussy
4. Morning mood by Grieg
Level 4
Listening Game
Level 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 4
1. The Spider’s Feast by Roussel
2. The Wedding March by Mendelssohn
3. The Duck Theme from Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev
4. Jaws Theme by John Williams
Level 5
Listening Game
The composer Vivaldi wrote a piece called The Four Seasons. Can you guess which season corresponds to each of the following movements?
Level 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
Answers
Listening Game
Here are the answers with the titles of the pieces. Did you manage to guess correctly?
Level 5
2. Summer
1. Spring
3. Fall
4. Winter
Journalist for a day
Helpful questions
Instructions
In this activity, you take on the role of a journalist. You will listen to a piece of music and write a short review presenting it.
musical excerpts
Select one of the pieces below and respond to the questions in the column on the right to help you write your critique.
Take a look at this photo of Rafael Payare conducting the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal at the Maison symphonique.
Si tu préfères, tu peux aussi faire la critique d'une pièce de musique que tu connais déjà!
Did you know?
Build your own
Percussion Instrument
You can build your own percussion instrument using everyday objects.
Maracas
Drum
Build your own
Idiophone
What is an idiophone?
Maracas
What you will need:1) an empty water bottle 2) rice/dry legumes/pasta 2) scissors, paint, stickers, etc. Instructions Take the water bottle and fill it with the rice, the dry legumes (such as lentils), or the pasta, and give it a shake. Decorate it to your liking. Your maracas are finished!
Different techniques
to play maracas
Build your own
membranophone
What is a membranophone?
The drum
You will need: 1) an empty tin can (make sure the edges are not sharp) 2) a birthday balloon 3) a rubber band 4) scissors, paint, stickers, etc. 5) an unsharpened pencil or a small glue stick Instructions Cut off the bottom of the balloon, then cover the opening of the tin can with the rest of the balloon. It should be stretched tight and smooth. To make sure it stays on the can, add a rubber band. Now you can play your drum with a mini drumstick (an unsharpened pencil, a small glue stick, and so on)!
What instrument are you?
Instructions
Find out which instrument is hidden inside you!Answer the 12 questions and tally how many times you chose each letter. Then answer a final question to reveal the instrument that matches you best!
START
Question 1
You prefer to work...
In a large group.
In a small group.
Sometimes alone, sometimes in a group.
On your own.
Question 2
Your favorite role in a project is to…
Present the finished product to everyone.
Lead the organization of the project.
Help others as needed.
Add a touch of originality.
Question 3
Your greatest strength is…
your empathy
your reliability
your perseverance
your creativity
Question 4
What is your favorite season?
Summer
Fall
Winter
Spring
Question 5
If you were an element, you would be…
Fire
Water
Earth
Air
Question 6
When a conversation goes silent, you feel…
uncomfortable
that it is a chance to catch your breath
that it is a moment you have been looking forward to
that it is an opportunity to start a new topic
Question 7
Your minor flaw, let’s be honest, is…
You want to run the show
You let yourself go unnoticed too much
You’re not fond of change
You always want to do everything differently
Question 8
What you love most about music are…
Fast and virtuosic melodies
Harmonies – the accompanying notes that go with the melody
The low notes that resonate
Unexpected, unusual moments
Question 9
If you were a landscape, you would be...
A sunrise
A forest at twilight
A crackling fire under the night sky
A majestic storm
Question 10
If you were a piece of music, you would be...
A pop song
A graceful symphony
A soulful jazz tune
The theme of an epic movie
Question 11
Which proverb speaks to you the most?
Every cloud has a silver lining
Sleep on it.
Better late than never.
The early bird catches the worm.
Question 12
If you had to express an emotion, it would be…
Confidence
Melancholy
Anticipation
Awe
Score tally
Time to check your results! Click the letter you scored the highest on, then answer one last question to reveal your instrument!
Profile A
Which quality describes you best?
You were born to lead!
You are a true optimist!
You have a lot of charisma.
You are honest to the core!
Profile B
What describes you best?
You love keeping traditions alive!
You are low-key and reliable!
You are always cool and collected!
You are curious.
You are kind and friendly
Profile C
What best describes you?
You are self-confident.
You are rather reserved
You are lively and frank.
You are protective.
Profile D
What best describes you?
You are very creative.
You do not give up easily
You are always full of energy.
You are a violin!
The violin is part of the string family! Due to their small size, violins play the highest notes in the string family. They usually play melodies, whose rhythms are sometimes very complex.
The most numerous members of their family, they are divided into two sections: first violins and second violins. Composers generally write a different musical part for each of these two sections. Violinists usually play sitting down, holding their instrument between their shoulder and chin, but they can also play standing up!
You are a viola!
The viola is part of the string family. It is slightly larger than the violin, is held in the same way, and can play lower notes. It has a warm tone.
In the orchestra, the violas often have the role of supporting the melody played by the violins. The viola section thus adds depth to the melodies and completes the harmonies. That said, some composers do occasionally use it as a solo instrument!
You are a cello!
The cello is part of the string family. It is larger than the violin and viola, and smaller than the double bass. It has a metal pole, called a spike, which is anchored into the ground to support the instrument. To play it, the cellist plays in a seated position and leans the instrument against their body.
It is often said that the cello has the timbre that most closely resembles the human voice. A cello solo can stir deep emotions, so striking are its vibrations!
You are a double bass!
The double bass is part of the string family. The double bass is larger than the violin, viola, and cello - it measures about 2 meters! That’s why double bass players have to sit on a high stool to play or remain standing!
With a lower range than the cello, the double bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of the string family.
You are a flute!
The flute is part of the woodwind family. In the 17th century, the modern flute replaced the recorder in the orchestra. It has a range of about three octaves. There is a whole family of flutes, including a small flute with very high-pitched sounds: the piccolo. The piccolo is half the length of the flute.
The flute is sometimes called the “transverse flute.” The word transverse describes the horizontal position of the instrument across the player's face and to the right. It’s as if the player’s mouth and face are being “traversed” by the instrument!
You are an oboe!
The oboe is part of the woodwind family. The oboe has a very distinctive timbre: it is said to be nasal! This is why Sergei Prokofiev chose the oboe to represent the duck in the famous story of Peter and the Wolf. Although its tone can sometimes seem nasal, this instrument can also move listeners with beautiful soft melodies!
Did you know?
Tuning
You are a clarinet!
The clarinet is part of the woodwind family. There are three main types of clarinet found in an orchestra: the small E-flat clarinet, which has a very high pitch; the B-flat clarinet, which is the most common; and the bass clarinet, which is much larger and plays lower notes! All three are made of ebony, a very rare wood that grows naturally in southern Africa and gives them a warm, round tone.
Clarinets joined the orchestra around the time of Mozart, in the 18th century. They have a broad range of notes: more than 4 octaves!
You are a bassoon!
The bassoon is part of the woodwind family. The bassoon is a long tube measuring 2.5 meters that folds back on itself. It is made of maple or rosewood. The low notes of the bassoon and its big brother, the contrabassoon, are produced by blowing into a double reed fixed to a metal tube: the crook. The sound then travels through a U-shaped tube. A bassoonist holds their instrument leaning to one side over their right hip.
You are a horn!
The horn belongs to the brass family. Easily recognizable by its circular shape, the name of the horn comes from the animal horns used to make the earliest versions. The horn has a warm sound. It features a mouthpiece, rotary valves (which allow the player to change notes), a large bell, and several meters of coiled and folded metal tubing. To play it, the horn player places their right hand inside the bell and their left hand on the valves.
You are a trumpet!
The trumpet has the highest-pitched sound in its family, and its distant military past gives it a bright, brilliant tone! Made of brass, it consists of a cylindrical tube about 1.5 meters long, coiled back on itself. This tube ends with a mouthpiece on one side and a bell on the other.
It was the invention of valves in 1814 that allowed the trumpet to play notes with great precision!
You are a trombone!
The trombone belongs to the brass family. With this instrument, there’s no longer a need for pistons and valves! With nearly 4 meters of tubing, it is the only brass instrument to use a slide. The slide allows the player to change the pitch of the notes and produce a wide variety of sound effects. It was the trombone’s flexibility that allowed it to join the orchestra in the 19th century.
Did you know?
Trombone
You are a tuba!
The tuba is the lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family. It is also the one that requires the most air. To shorten or lengthen the distance the air has to travel between the mouthpiece and the bell, the tubist can use up to 6 valves.
In addition to playing the bass line in a piece, the tuba can also carry sustained melodies in the low register. The depth of the sounds produced by this instrument can give certain passages a tone that is either comical or mournful!
The tuba consists of a tube 5.5 to 6 meters long that coils around itself!
You are a percussion instrument!
The percussion instruments are located at the very back of the orchestra. Some are made of wood, metal, or even skin (membrane) stretched over a wooden frame. To play them, percussionists strike them, shake them, or even scratch them. Percussionists are very versatile, and can even play several different instruments within a single piece!
You are the timpani!
The timpani belong to the percussion family. They are what are called membranophones: instruments with a skin stretched over a frame. In addition, timpani can play precise notes and can be tuned (the tighter the skin, the higher the pitch). Timpani play an essential role in the orchestra. They help to punctuate the musical narrative (for example, by creating suspense) and often provide the final emphasis.
You are a harp!
In the symphony orchestra, the harp is the most valuable of all the plucked string instruments! Even though it is an ancient instrument, it never appeared in orchestras before the 19th century. To play it, the musician leans the instrument against their right shoulder and plucks the strings with all their fingers except the pinky.
Did you know?
The harp
You are a piano!
The piano is a struck string instrument. It produces sound through small felt-covered hammers that strike metal strings. With its 88 black and white keys, it has the widest range of any instrument in the orchestra!
The piano is not always present in the orchestra, and few symphonic works include a part written for it... It was only integrated into this type of musical ensemble toward the end of the 19th century!
Time to draw
As an illustrator, your job is to use your imagination to create new drawings every day! You can make illustrations for all kinds of things, like books, movies, greeting cards, or wall posters. In this activity, you will be drawing a fantastic creature inspired by music!
Some creatures to discover
Different tools to draw
What's a fantastic creature?
Music to inspire you
What's a fantastic creature?
A fantastic creature does not exist in reality. They are found in stories, films, paintings, dreams and so on.
Fantastic creatures are often based on elements of reality, but with a twist! A good example would be a 3-headed dog. Dogs do exist, but have you ever seen one in the park with 3 heads?!?!
Fantastic creatures sometimes have magical powers or superpowers, such as flying, becoming invisible or breathing fire.
Fantastic creatures are sometimes nice, sometimes nasty, depending on the story and your imagination!
Some creatures to discover
Illustrations by Frédéric Ellis
Different tools
Do you always use the same pencils when you draw? Probably not! Sometimes you use felt-tip pens, other times wax crayons or wooden pencils. When you are an illustrator, you have got plenty of tools at your disposal. You can even work with multiple tools for a single project. Click on the buttons on the right to learn more.
Illustration by Frédéric Ellis
Music to inspire you
It's time to try your hand at drawing a fantastic creature to music! Choose one of the suggested pieces and draw a fantastic creature while listening to the music. Is your creature nice or naughty, small or huge, multicolored or black-and-white? There's no room for error: it's YOUR imaginary creature!
Une chanson à l'école
Since 2021, the OSM has been collaborating with Culture pour tous to offer young people the project Une chanson à l'école as part of Les journées de la culture!
Activity in French only
This year, you can learn the French song Haut les cœurs! by Sarahmée (lyrics, music, and even choreography if you want), which celebrates the power of numbers, the magic of a smile, and the importance of friendship.
Photos: Vivien Gaumand
Activité de
Bruitage
Dans cette activité, tu seras appelé à faire du bruitage!
Une vidéo vaut 1000 mots
Le bruitage c'est quoi?
À Ton tour de jouer
Des histoires à orchestrer
Le bruitage, c'est quoi?
Quand on est bruiteuse ou bruiteur, on crée des sons pour rendre une histoire, un dessin animé ou un film plus vivant. Par exemple, on peut faire le bruit des pas, de la pluie ou d’un monstre en utilisant des objets du quotidien. Ça permet de rendre l'histoire plus réaliste.
Observe les objets utilisés dans la vidéo... on peut en effet utiliser de tout pour tenter de recréer un son. Observe aussi comment chaque objet est utilisé un à la suite de l'autre, comme une chorégraphie.
Observe ici comment on peut faire plein de sons différents avec du papier et du carton.
Des histoires à orchestrer
Pour cette activité tu devras choisir les sons de ton choix pour compléter les 3 histoires. Les sons sont tout autour de l’histoire. Tu peux les écouter en cliquant sur les icônes. Puis, tu peux déplacer les sons choisis aux endroits endroits!
La montgolfière de Lila
La vampire de l'orchestre
Le voyage de Renardo
La vampire de l'orchestre
Un soir de pleine lune, dans une grande salle, l’orchestre de l’école répétait pour le grand concert. Tout allait bien, quand soudain… Une flaque gluante apparut au milieu de la scène !
De la flaque sortit… Octavia, une petite vampire en costume noir qui adorait la musique. Elle portait une cape noire et ses pas faisaient beaucoup de bruits quand elle marchait.
« Bonsoir… puis-je jouer avec vous ? », demanda Octavia d’une voix douce. Les musicien.nes hésitèrent… mais le chef d’orchestre dit : « Pourquoi pas ? Quel est ton instrument ? » Octavia pointa un instrument de musique et joua quelques notes.
Quand elle joua, tout l’orchestre l’accompagna, et la salle se remplit d’une musique magnifique.
Depuis ce jour, Octavia vient jouer à chaque pleine lune, accompagnée d'un nuage de chauve-souris.
Le voyage de Renardo
Renardo se promenait dans la forêt quand il entendit un grand "CRAC !" sous ses pattes.
À ce moment, il leva les yeux et vit un papillon doré qui volait lentement, comme s’il lui montrait un chemin secret. Renardo le suivi en marchant tout doucement.
Renardo le suivit jusqu’à une clairière remplie de fleurs colorées. En arrivant, le vent se mit à souffler doucement, faisant danser les feuilles.
Au milieu des fleurs, il trouva des percussions oubliées. Renardo tapa dessus plusieurs fois en créant un rhythme entraînant qui remplit la clairière.
Renardo arrêta pour respirer. Puis, les oiseaux se mirent à chanter et à tourner autour de lui. Quelle belle journée!
La montgolfière de Lila
Lila rêvait de toucher les nuages, alors un matin, elle fabriqua une montgolfière avec des draps colorés. Quand elle alluma le feu sous le ballon, on entendit un léger bruit.
La montgolfière s’éleva lentement dans le ciel, accompagnée d’une musique légère. D’en haut, Lila voyait les toits minuscules et les rivières qui scintillaient.
Soudain, un nuage passa devant elle. Le vent se mit à souffler fort, et la montgolfière tanguait de gauche à droite.
Lila resta calme et avec raison! Quelques instants plus tard, le nuage avait disparu et elleentendit les oiseaux chanter au loin.
Alors que le soleil se couchait, Lila redescendit doucement, le cœur rempli d’aventures. Elle se mit alors à chantonner son air de musique préféré.
À ton tour de jouer!
À l'écriture Écris une courte histoire (de 10 à 20 phrases) dans laquelle tu pourras incorporer des effets sonores ou de la musique.
Au bruitage Avec des objets du quotidien et/ou des instruments de musique, donne vie à ton histoire avec des sons!
Au tournage! Enregistre ton histoire avec un.e narrateur/trice et différentes personnes qui font le bruitage.
The viola
The violin
The horn
Tempo
Dynamics
Timbre
The cello
The Maison symphonique
The trombone
The OSM Board Game
DIE
Instructions
The OSM
The tuba
TOKENS and HOUSES
The conductor
Theoboe
START
The octobass
The piano
The harp
The xylophone
The bassoon
Timpani
The celesta
Unconventional instruments - Part 1
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
An instrument in which a wheel operated by a crank causes the strings to vibrate.
Hurdy-gurdy
An electronic musical instrument with a keyboard.
Ondes martenot
An electronic musical instrument played without any physical contact.
Theremin
A cross between a violin and a trumpet.
A wind instrument shaped like a snake.
Serpent
Stroh violin
Unconventional instruments - Part 2
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
A long wind instrument made of wood or metal.
Alphorn
An instrument with metal tines.
Kalimba
An instrument with crystal plates and glasses.
Cristal Baschet
A very large stringed instrument that is taller than a human being.
Octobass
The nyckelharpa is a Swedish bowed string instrument with keys.
Nyckelharpa
Unconventional instruments - Part 3
Connect each image to the corresponding instrument by dragging the hand. Click on the eye to see the answers and hear the instrument.
Answers
The gamelan is a traditional Indonesian ensemble.
Gamelan
Rimba Tubes are tubular percussion instruments.
Rimba Tubes
The glass harmonica is an instrument composed of rotating glass discs.
Glass harmonica
A complex mechanical instrument operated by marbles.
The waterphone is a metallic percussion instrument containing a small amount of water.
Waterphone
Marble machine
pixel Challenge
Guess what the hidden image is using the fewest clicks possible.
Start
Click on the image to reveal it if you can't see it clearly… but watch out! the fewer clicks you need, the better.
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Game over
Thank you for playing!
Musical Quiz
Instructions
02:30
You will only have this amount of time to answer questions.
instructions
Click on the roulette to find out which color to play with. Decide if you bet 1, 2, or 3 points. You will add points if you guess right and subtract points if you guess wrong. Answer as many questions as you can before time runs out and don't forget to keep track of the points you earn!
Start
02:30
The percussions
The BRass instruments
the WOodwinds
General knowledge
The OSM
The Strings
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Spin the wheel now!
Scores
Points count results
Less than 5 points
between 5 and 10 points
Between 10 and 20 points
More than 20 POINTS
The brass instruments
It's time to change the game order! Everyone must roll the die to determine the new playing order. The highest number goes first. In case of a tie, roll the die again.
The Strings
Oil Painting
Oil paint is applied with a brush. It's an oil-based paint (you don't need to mix it with water to use it). This type of paint takes a long time to dry, compared with aquarelle (water-based paint). Here, Frédéric used oil paint to make the dragon's green skin!
Minotaur
A minotaur is a monster with the body of a man and the head and tail of a bull. The minotaur is present in Greek mythology, where it is described as a cannibal (who feeds on human beings).
Composer Harrison Birtwistle has written an opera about a minotaur. It's a very dark piece of music. You can listen to an excerpt here:
The conductor
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Quelques idées de thématiques
The woodwinds
Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
A mechanically bowed string instrument, where a wheel turned by a crank vibrates the strings to produce a continuous sound.
Hurdy-gurdy
An electronic musical instrument played without touch, by moving the hands near two antennas to control pitch and volume.
Theremin
An electronic musical instrument that produces sounds using a keyboard and a ribbon to control pitch.
Ondes martenot
A violin whose resonating body ends in a flared horn, amplifying the sound in a louder and brighter way.
Stroh violin
An ancient wind instrument shaped like a tube curved like a serpent.
Serpent
Dynamics
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The HARP
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The OSM
The game is played with 3 to 4 players or 3 to 4 teams. Each player/team must choose a color: blue, green, yellow, or pink. Everyone has a token to mark their position and 10 houses to indicate the properties acquired throughout the game. Click on the die to determine the turn order. The highest roll goes first. At the beginning, each player puts their token on the starting space. On your turn, click the die and move your token accordingly. On each colored square, there is a question. If you answer it correctly, place one of your houses on that square. Congratulations, you have just acquired a new property! Special spaces: the spaces with icons contain penalties or challenges. Continue playing until all the colored squares have been claimed by a team. The player or team with the most houses on the board when all the squares are occupied wins the game. If you land on a space that is already owned by another team, it remains the property of your opponent.
There is an orchestra of instruments made from recycled objects. Listen to a few musicians from this ensemble play an excerpt from Pachelbel’s Canon.
The BasSOON
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Timpani
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The brass instruments
timbre
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The OSM
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Felt-tip pens
Like you, Frédéric uses felt-tip pens! Here, Frédéric used a black felt-tip pen to make the dragon's scales and claws! Notice how he used different sizes of felt-tip pen to make the different details.
The octobass
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The cello
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Troll
A troll is a hideous (very ugly) and dangerous creature. Trolls are described as giant, unintelligent creatures. They are often found in the stories and legends of Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway and Iceland.
Listen to composer Edvard Grieg's March of the Trolls.
🤩
Congratulations! Your knowledge is admirable!
more than 20 POINTS
Need a challenge?
Try to finish drawing your creature before the music ends! Make sure to add plenty of details, though. You can even include objects in your drawing to bring your creature to life!
It's your lucky day! Roll the die again and keep moving forward :)
tuning
Just before the beginning of the concert, once all the musicians have taken their places on stage, the concertmaster makes their entrance. It is the signal that the orchestra will start tuning! The oboe will play the note A, in order for all the musicians to adjust their instruments according to that note. But, not everyone tunes at the same time! First come the wind instruments, and then the string instruments. When everyone is ready, the conductor makes their entrance on stage, usually greeted by applause from the public. Let the concert begin!
Mermaids
Mermaids are magnificent creatures. They have a woman's upper body and a fish tail. In stories, they are sometimes gentle, sometimes naughty. They are often described as having beautiful voices.
Try to imagine a group of mermaids in the water with this piece by composer Claude Debussy Sirènes.
The woodwinds
It's time for a challenge! Sing the chorus of your favorite song to earn the right to play again!
Culture générale
The oboe
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The horn
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Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
An instrument where crystal plates and glasses are rubbed with wet fingers, producing sounds amplified by a metal structure.
Cristal Baschet
A very large stringed instrument, taller than a human, that produces extremely low notes, below the range of the double bass.
Octobass
A Swedish stringed instrument with keys that allow the pitch of the notes to be changed while being played with a bow.
Nyckelharpa
An instrument with metal tines attached to a sound box, played by plucking the tines with the thumbs.
Kalimba
The alphorn is a long wind instrument made of wood or brass. It is traditional in Alpine regions and produces a powerful, deep sound.
Alphorn
TIME's up!
Have you added up all your points? Let's check what position you finished in.
scores
Roll the die. If you get an even number, give one of your properties to an opponent of your choice. If you get an odd number, steal a property from an opponent of your choice. Good luck!
Objects
Frédéric likes to use objects we have around the house to help him make drawings. Whether it's a paper clip, a button or scissors, any object can be used to create certain parts of an illustration. Here, he used two leaves to make the dragon's wings!
Did you know there are so many ways to play maracas? Watch this— in less than a minute, the percussionist shows off a variety of techniques. Which is your favorite?
The MAison symphonique
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The strings
General knowledge
Charcoal Drawing
Charcoal is in fact a stick of charcoal. It's all black and it is very handy when one wants to draw shadows. Different sizes of charcoal are available for smaller or larger details. You can also use your fingers or an eraser to spread the charcoal on the paper and create different effects. Here, Frédéric used it to make the dragon's belly and part of its tail. Watch this video to see an artist at work with charcoal!
The Woodwinds
The Tuba
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tempo
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The percussions
Roll the die. If you get a 1, steal a property from an opponent of your choice.
UNICORN
A unicorn is a very rare creature. It is said to be pure, innocent, kind. A unicorn is a horse with a horn in the middle of its forehead. They're often drawn all in white, but not all the time!
Imagine a unicorn galloping through composer Murray Schafer's choral piece:
Roll the die. If you get a 6, steal a property from an opponent of your choice.
Answers
Click on the arrows to learn more about the instruments and to hear them.
Tubular percussion instruments of various lengths, made of plastic or metal, which produce melodic sounds when struck.
Rimba tubes
A traditional Indonesian ensemble consisting mainly of metallophones, gongs, and drums.
Gamelan
A metallic percussion instrument containing water, whose vibrations produce sounds.
Waterphone
A complex mechanical instrument operated by marbles that produce percussive and melodic sounds.
Marble machine
An instrument consisting of rotating glass discs that produce sounds when rubbed with wet fingers.
Glass harmonica
Sphinx
Il existe 2 types de sphinx. Les sphinx de l'Égypte ancienne ont le corps d'un lion et la tête d'un homme. Les sphinx dans la mythologie grecque ont le bas du corps d'un lion, le haut du corps et la tête d'une femme et les ailes d'un oiseau. Les sphinx sont souvent représentés comme des gardiens à l'entrée de temples.
Imagine une créature grande et magnifique dans le mouvement Sphinx de la pièce de Roberto Sierra.
Start and stop the music
You can listen to music excerpts through the guide. Just click the musical notes icon to start or stop the music.
😌
Between 5 AND 10 points
You're on the right track! You know quite a bit, but there's still room for improvement. Keep trying!
general knowledge
The piano
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The viola
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The percussions
Did you know..
The ancestor of the trombone was called the sackbut!
😊
Wow, impressive! You have great knowledge and it's clear you know what you're talking about. Keep it up!
between 10 and 20 points
The brass instruments
The OSM
More than 5 points
😓
Don't give up! Every attempt is an opportunity to learn more.
Conductor's podium
Choose an opponent of your choice who must skip their turn!
The Strings
GOBLIN
A goblin is a creature that likes to play tricks (mischievous). Goblins are small and ugly.
Try to imagine a goblin playing tricks as you listen to Dvořák's piece about a goblin who lives in water!
Did you know...
The harp has 47 strings and 7 pedals. The pedals are used to change the pitch of the notes played. There is one pedal for each note (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
The Xylophone
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The trombone
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The Percussions
The VIOLIN
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Did you know it's the same for composers?
Like an illustrator, a composer has plenty of tools at his or her disposal to write music... instruments! Listen here to the same melody from Peter and the Wolf played by different instruments. Do all instruments sound the same?
Violin Double bass Oboe
Flute Tuba Piano
Your token is stuck! Skip your next turn...
The OSM
THe CELESTA
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Your token is stuck! Skip your next turn...