NOTE: Available activities have hot links indicated by the color blue or purple. Activities that will be available soon are indicated by the color black.

As you enter this discovery path you can hear the soft sounds (29") of Euterpe (a Muse!) playing her cello. In the distance you see floating avatars of every composer, conductor, and performer the world has known gently swaying to the rhythm of Euterpe's cello music, a Sound Stage playing a rock video, giant versions of every instrument in the world – so big you can walk through them, and manuscripts and recordings of every piece of music ever written.

To continue your visit check out the following online activities:

Musicians use instruments to make music. It's believed that the first instruments were voices and simple percussion. As people explored sound and music, they discovered an incredible variety of ways to create sound and invent new instruments.

What are some of the ways that you like to make music?

Unplugged Instruments [ Acoustic ]

Strings Scrape & Pluck: how do string instruments make sound?

Winds & Brasses Blow: how can you use wind to make sound?

Percussion Strikes: how do percussion instruments make sound?

Voices Sing: how do you make sound with your voice?

Keyboards Strike: how do keyboard instruments make sound?

Plugged Instruments [ Electronic/Computer ]

Early Electronic Instruments: what were the first electronic instruments?

Electronic Instruments: what are some of the electronic instruments in use today?

Synthesizers: how does a synthesizer work?

Computer Instruments: what are the basics?

At first people memorized music and passed it down from generation to generation. Then people discovered that they could write down music in a form of notation. It has only been in the past two centuries that we have learned how to make recordings of actual performances! In fact, today recorded music has grown to a billion dollar industry.

Music Recording Techologies: how do you record sound?

Just as there are many different languages spoken, there are many different styles of music performed. The vast creativity of people is reflected in the never-ending array of ways to give it form and substance.

World Musical Styles: how many different kinds of music are there?

Dance & Ballet Music: how is dance used with music?

Opera: what is one of the first kinds of musical theater?

Musical Theater: what are some kinds of musical entertainment?

While there have always been solo performers of music, some believe that people have always made music in groups. Music has a rich history in ceremonies throughout time. As music evolved and become more complex, it was only natural that larger groups, bands, and orchestras be formed.

Bands: when is two better than one?

The Classical Orchestra: what are the different instruments used?

As musical styles developed and became more complex, there was a need for someone to help keep the performance on track; keeping the beat, giving cues for expression, and starting and stopping together. During the 18th century, the importance of the conductor grew and in the 19th century it rose to the status of virtuoso or maestro.

Keeping Time – Conductors: what does it take to be a conductor?

Keeping Time – Conducting: what are the basics?