Just when you think your instrument family lessons are clicking, someone throws you a curveball:
“Is the piano a string instrument or percussion?”
It’s a fair question — and a really good one. The answer? Well… it’s both. Kinda.
🎹 The Piano Problem (And Why It’s Actually Kinda Fun)
The piano doesn’t fit neatly into one category. It has strings, so it's definitely part of the string family. But those strings are hit with hammers when you play — which also puts it in the percussion family. But also....keyboard family?!
This kind of “gray area” is actually a great opportunity to deepen understanding. Instead of giving them a black-and-white answer, you can help them think like musicians and problem-solvers.
💡 How to Teach the “In-Between” Instruments
Instead of stressing over where to put it, use this moment as a teaching tool.
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First, wait until your students understand the four main families.
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Then, introduce the piano as an “in-between” instrument.
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Ask guiding questions like:
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“Does it have strings?”
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“Do you hit it, pluck it, or blow into it?”
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Let them discuss and justify their answer. It’s critical thinking and music vocabulary practice all in one.
Bonus idea: After discussing the piano, ask students to think of other instruments that might fall into this “gray area.” Let them make their case and explain why — it’s a great way to encourage critical thinking and spark some seriously cool conversations.
🧠 Make Teaching Instrument Families Way Less Stressful
These kinds of conversations are what make teaching instrument families so much more meaningful. My Instrument Family Unit is a complete resource to teach all four families — with visuals, listening activities, interactive lessons, and plenty of ways to dig into those tricky “in-between” instruments too.
Click here or on the picture below to grab the full instrument family unit! 👇🏼
