Instruments

The ukulele is a string instrument belonging to the plucked lute family, subdivided into the guitar family. A ukulele generally has four nylon strings. The tuning is related to that of the guitar; the ratios are the same as the highest four strings of the guitar, but the top string is tuned an octave higher. The most popular tuning today is g'c'e'a', also known as C tuning. There is also the D tuning, a'd'f#'b', in which all strings are tuned a whole tone higher. Although the D tuning used to be more standard (and still is in some countries), both tunings have always existed side by side.

The cello The violoncello, also called cello for short, is actually a bass violin in a standing position. The instrument is so large that it can no longer be held under the chin: it is placed between the knees, with an extendable tail pin resting on the floor. The cello is played with a bow that is shorter than that of the violin. The sound is an octave (8 notes) lower than the viola. The cello plays an important role in the symphony orchestra. Sometimes the bass part is played (together with the double basses), other times the melody. The lessons Experience shows that both young and old enjoy the lessons, but especially the opportunity to make music with others. The cello is a social instrument. However, one can also play solo. The lessons follow a thorough curriculum, in which General Music Education, music theory and ensemble playing are also worked on. Musical enjoyment is paramount. The lessons can be obtained in small groups or individually in consultation with the teacher. For example; three students in one hour. Advantages of group lessons are: more lesson time, less fear of failure, many opportunities to play together and more fun. The groups are composed of students of the same level. Lessons are given for both beginners and advanced levels. With the cello you can also play in one of the string ensembles that we have at Muziekschool Diemen. The String Ensemble and the Junior String Ensemble for the very youngest.

The harp is a string instrument, in which the strings are usually made to vibrate with the fingers. The harp is constructed like a figure 7, consisting of an elongated sound box and a straight or arched neck, between which a large number of strings are stretched, differing in length and thickness. Each string produces only one tone: the longer (and thicker) the string, the lower the tone. The ends of the neck and sound box, the head and the foot, are supported along the lowest string by the column, which can be straight or gracefully curved. The tuning pegs or tuning pins protrude through the neck, to which the strings are attached on the left, and the angular forged ends protrude on the right so that they can be tuned. Harps have been around for a few thousand years. In prehistoric times, people already used their hunting bows as musical instruments, but they only had one string. By placing several bows in a row, they could produce multiple tones. Later, they made arched harps; bows with multiple strings. The first 'real' harps are known from Egypt as early as 3500 BC.

Recorder The recorder sounds very nice and it is an instrument that you can quickly get good results from. Playing this instrument can also be very satisfying, as you can go in many different directions with it. Recorder lessons The lessons are intended for children from 4 years old. During the lessons, the age of the child is taken into account, and a different method will be used for each age group. Introduction to the recorder The first 2 lessons consist of getting to know the recorder. This applies to all age groups. Whistling with Fish This is a course for children from 4 to 5 years old. This method has been specially developed for children in this age group. They do learn to read notes, but in a playful way, namely with tadpoles. These tadpoles only change into real 'notes' later in the book. When this book is finished, the students have had all the notes with their left hand. Then we continue with the next book Me and my recorder This is a course for new students from the age of 6. Children who have finished Fluiten met Visjes will automatically move on to this course. In this book you will immediately learn to read notes. A CD is also included with the book, which is used regularly. Not only for playing along with the songs, but also for other exercises. In addition, a workbook is included with this method, which we will also use regularly during the lessons. The soprano recorder is used during both of these courses. For students who are ready for 'Me and my recorder - part 2', there is the possibility to learn to play the alto recorder. It is also possible to play together with other recorder students and form an ensemble in this way. The recorder A soprano recorder is required to follow the lessons. The teacher advises using the so-called 'dream flutes' (by Adriana Breukink) with a plastic head. These are available with a red or blue head. For the alto recorder, it is recommended to use an Aura recorder with double bore.

The violin is the highest sounding string instrument, and has four strings. There is also a viola; this is a little bit bigger than the violin and it sounds a little lower, you also hold it under your chin. We start by learning to play the violin, later we can possibly switch to the viola. The violin is a very beautiful instrument that consists of two parts; the violin itself and the bow. You hold the violin up with your left arm and then you can hold the bow in your right hand. You make sound by stroking the strings with the bow. The different notes are made with the fingers of the left hand. Because the right arm makes completely different movements than the left arm, it is important that both arms and hands learn to work well together. In the first lessons we get to know the violin well, and how it can best be held. Then learning to bow is on the program. When you can bow all kinds of rhythms on open strings, we only start with the left hand. You will learn to play simple melodies on your instrument, in which the purity and tone formation are especially important. This is how you train your hearing. With normal development, quite a few songs can be played by the end of the first year and the basic movements have been learned. A lot of attention is also paid to playing together, both with a CD and with other students. This is sometimes in smaller groups, but can also be in the String Ensemble if the student has progressed far enough. For beginners, there is now also the Junior String Ensemble

The guitar lessons are designed so that everyone can learn to play the guitar at their own pace. Children from the age of 6 can start taking guitar lessons. The lessons are private or in groups of 2 or 3. It is possible to learn to play popular music and classical music on the guitar. Initially, the emphasis in the lesson is on learning a good playing position and a good basic touch. This then makes it possible to learn to play songs. An important part of the lessons is learning to read notes for guitar playing. With the help of reading music, students can practice songs from notation on the guitar. You can also learn to play chords on an acoustic guitar so that you can play pop songs. There is a continuous learning path of several years so that it is possible to continue to develop yourself on the guitar. In addition to the guitar, Music School Diemen also teaches bass guitar and electric guitar. Photo: Shane van Hattum

An electric guitar is a guitar that usually does not have a sound box but provides volume through an amplifier with a speaker. The vibrations of the steel strings are picked up by electromagnetic sensors (elements) consisting of magnets and coils. The disturbances of the magnetic field are converted into electric current that is led from the guitar to an amplifier via an instrument cable. This amplifier ultimately converts the electrical signal into audible sound using a loudspeaker. The shape of the guitar is hardly important for the final sound of the guitar, but all the more for the ease of playing. The less sound from the vibrating string is transferred to the 'body' of the guitar, the longer a string can continue to vibrate. This long sustain provides possibilities that an acoustic guitar does not have. The electric guitar often has a vibrato system installed, which allows the player to vibrate the tone of the guitar by alternately lowering and raising the tension in the strings (or vice versa).

The bass guitar is a stringed instrument (usually four-string) used in many forms of modern non-classical music. The tuning is standard ’E – ‘A – D – G; like a double bass and similar to the lowest four strings of a guitar, but an octave lower. Usually a bass guitar is made with frets, although fretless bass guitars also exist. Most bass guitars are electric or semi-acoustic, but acoustic bass guitars have also been made. The acoustic bass guitar cannot really be used without amplification and is usually used in acoustic ensembles such as mariachi orchestras (where a gitarron (mexicano), a very large six-string acoustic bass guitar with a very large sound box, is usually used). The sound is more like that of a double bass played pizzicato.

Can't you sit still with your hands and feet? Do you like tapping on everything? Then you are definitely someone who wants to play percussion or drums. You can play percussion on various instruments including drums, but also djembe, cajon, timpani, bongos, congas and other types of drums. You can also play melody percussion instruments such as the xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel or marimba. You will learn to play rhythms, read sheet music and play along with audio tracks. If you want to play percussion, you can learn to play many different instruments in various musical styles. So you don't always have to make music with the same instrument. In addition, you can participate in all kinds of different groups, bands and orchestras, because percussion is always needed. The percussion lessons basically include all percussion instruments, including snare drum, timpani, marimba, drum kit, concert bass drum, cymbals and effect instruments such as tambourine, triangle, shaker, castanets, but also bongos, congas, etc. You can also take lessons on djembe and cajon. . Especially for melodic percussion instruments such as marimba, xylophone and vibraphone, it is also important that you learn to read the pitches, just like with a wind instrument or piano. Each percussion instrument also has its own way of playing and choice of sticks. Holding the sticks for the different percussion instruments is sometimes slightly different to be able to play the instrument well. On YouTube or TV you see orchestras that include a drummer and a percussionist who plays many different instruments. That's the fun thing about playing percussion. You don't always have to make music with the same instrument. You are very versatile. In addition, you can participate in all kinds of different groups, bands and orchestras, because percussion is always needed. The drum and percussion lessons currently take place in a drum room at Visseringweg 60 in Diemen-Zuid. Unfortunately, only drum lessons can currently be given there. But no percussion lessons. Music School Diemen is looking intensively for a location where we can give all percussion lessons, provide the pop school lessons and start up the percussion ensemble again. Does anyone know a suitable space in Diemen? Please contact our coordinator Rombout Stoffers via coordinator@muziekschooldiemen.nl