Carnegie Hall

1. Working in small groups, have students examine images of guitars and other guitar-like instruments such as the sitar, lute, balalaika, and ukulele. As students look at the images, have them answer, reflect, and share on these questions:
   • What do you notice about the instruments in each picture?
   • What types of materials do you think were used to make each instrument?
   • How do you think each instrument is played?
   • Do you think these instruments sound the same or different? If different, what types of different sounds do you think you would hear?
2. Brainstorm the use of guitars and other plucked instruments in music today.
   • Why might guitars be such popular instruments in American culture and around the world? (Responses may include its portability, versatility, etc.)
   • How might life before radios, mp3s, CDs, and electricity make a difference in the popularity of a guitar?
   • What parts of a song can a guitar play? Melody? Rhythm? Chordal accompaniment?
3. Listen to and/or watch excerpts of guitar and other guitar-like instruments.
   • What makes each instrument or style unique?
   • How are they related?
   • Considering the evolution of the guitar and other plucked instruments, what might be its future in the 21st century?

Additional listening link

Electric Guitar Examples

Going Deeper

1. Have students research the history of the guitar.
2. Invite a guest artist into the classroom to perform on the guitar (or other plucked instrument).

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