Nigerian Musical Instruments and Sounds They Produce – Basic 4 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

What are Musical Instruments?

Musical instruments are special objects we use to make beautiful sounds and music.

Popular Nigerian Musical Instruments

1. Talking Drum (Dundun)

Sound: “Dun-dun-dun” or “Ka-ka-ka” 

How it sounds: Like someone talking – high and low voices

2. Shekere

Sound: “Shake-shake-shake” or “Rattle-rattle” 

How it sounds: Like seeds shaking in a container

3. Ogene (Metal Gong)

Sound: “Gong-gong-gong” or “Clang-clang” 

How it sounds: Loud ringing metal sound

4. Udu Pot

Sound: “Boom-boom” or “Thump-thump” 

How it sounds: Deep hollow sound like an empty pot

5. Oja (Flute)

Sound: “Toot-toot” or “Whee-whee” 

How it sounds: Soft whistling sound

6. Ekwe (Wooden Drum)

Sound: “Knock-knock” or “Tok-tok” 

How it sounds: Sharp wooden knocking sound

7. Agogo (Bell)

Sound: “Ting-ting-ting” or “Ring-ring” 

How it sounds: High pitched bell sound

8. Ichaka (Rattle)

Sound: “Shake-shake” or “Rash-rash” 

How it sounds: Quick shaking sound

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Match the Sound

Draw lines to connect the instrument with its sound:

• Talking Drum → “Gong-gong-gong”
• Ogene → “Dun-dun-dun”
• Shekere → “Shake-shake-shake”
• Oja → “Toot-toot”

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. The talking drum makes ________ sound
2. Shekere makes ________ sound when shaken
3. Ogene is made of ________ and makes ringing sounds
4. Oja makes ________ whistling sounds

Exercise 3: True or False

1. Talking drum sounds like someone talking ____
2. Udu pot makes loud ringing sounds ____
3. Ekwe is made of wood ____
4. Agogo makes bell sounds ____

Exercise 4: Sound Detective

Write which instrument makes these sounds:

1. “Boom-boom”: ________
2. “Ting-ting-ting”: ________
3. “Tok-tok”: ________
4. “Whee-whee”: ________

Exercise 5: Complete the Description

1. Talking drum sounds like ________
2. Shekere sounds like seeds in a ________
3. Ogene makes ________ metal sounds
4. Udu pot sounds like an empty ________

Exercise 6: Choose the Right Answer

Circle the correct sound:

1. Talking Drum: Boom-boom / Dun-dun-dun
2. Shekere: Toot-toot / Shake-shake
3. Oja: Whee-whee / Gong-gong
4. Ekwe: Tok-tok / Ring-ring