Instruments of the Orchestra

Instruments of the Orchestra

Instrument Families

• Four main instrument families

• Woodwind

• Brass

• Strings

• Percussion

Multiple Choice

Which of these is not an instrument family?

• Woodwind

• Brass

• Flute

• Percussion

The String Family

Instruments in the String Section

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

• Double Bass

• Harp

Some string instruments not usually used in the orchestra are...

• Guitar

• Banjo

• Mandolin

• Ukulele

• 
  

Four Main

Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass

All four of these have 4 strings

Tuning is the same for all

They all look the same but are different in size

Can be played with a bow across the strings or plucked with a finger.

Harp

Largest string instrument

Has 47 strings!

Played only with fingers

Not always used, but sometimes

Multiple Select

Which is not a string instrument?

• Oboe

• Violin

• Xylophone

• Viola

The Brass Family

• Trumpet

• French Horn

• Euphonium

• Trombone

• Tuba

Family Characteristics

• They are made of brass

• They are the loudest members of the orchestra

• They are played by blowing through a mouthpiece and making a buzzing sound with lips.

• Sound come out of a bell

• The trumpet is similar to the violin

Marching Brass

Mellophone - French Horn

Marching Baritone - Euphonium

Sousaphone - Tuba

Woodwind Instruments

• Piccolo

• Flute

• Clarinet

• Oboe

• English Horn

• Saxophone

• Bassoon

Multiple Choice

Which woodwind instrument is sometimes included in the orchestra, but not always?

• Clarinet

• Oboe

• Flute

• Saxophone

Instrument Families

A family group within the woodwind section. For example the saxophone family.

Soprano Saxophone

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

Bass Saxophone

Family Characteristics

• They are made of wood or metal

• They are played by blowing across an opening or across a wooden reed

• They have a lot of keys

• Several of them have families of their own.

• These include instruments that are almost the same but can sound higher or lower than each other.

Mouthpiece Only

• Flute

• Piccolo

Single Reed

• Clarinet

• Saxophone

Double Reed

• English Horn

• Oboe

• Bassoon

Multiple Select

Select all of the instruments that only use a mouthpiece to play.

• Flute

• Bassoon

• Piccolo

• Recorder

• Clarinet

Multiple Select

Select all of the single reed instruments

• Clarinet

• Oboe

• Bassoon

• Saxophone

• Flute

Multiple Select

Select all of the double reed instruments

• Clarinet

• Oboe

• Flute

• Bassoon

• Saxophone

Percussion Section Instruments - Mallet

• Xylophone

• Glock

• Marimba

• Chime

• Piano

Percussion Family - Drum

• Timpani

• Snare Drum

• Bass Drum

Percussion Family - Auxillary

• Tambourine

• Cymbals

• Triangle

• Cowbell

• Gong

• Woodblock

Family Characteristics

There are LOTS of instruments in the percussion family

They are the RHYTHM section of the orchestra

They are played by STRIKING, SHAKING, or SCRAPING.

Family Characteristics Cont.

They can be played with HANDS or sticks called MALLETS

They are made of WOOD, METAL, or SKINS

The Conductor

The conductor is the person who keeps the musicians together. Their job is to give the tempo for the piece, show dynamics, and be a reference point for all musicians in the orchestra.