Transcript Instruments of the Orchestra

The Orchestra
What is an Orchestra?
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A large group of musicians that includes string, woodwind,
brass, and percussion instruments. Also called a symphony
orchestra or philharmonic orchestra.
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Orchestra (means “a dancing place in Greek)comes from the
area in front of the stage in ancient Greek drama reserved for
the chorus.
Components of the Orchestra
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An orchestra generally has 80 to 100 musicians.
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A chamber orchestra is smaller, with about 40
or fewer musicians.
The conductor directs the musical performance
with visible gestures, e.g. hands and facial
expressions. The conductor is also called
the musical director.
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- The concertmaster is the 1st principle violin player. This person
is second in command to the conductor.
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Each instrumental section has a leader known as the principle.
Instrument Families
Strings:
Produce sound (pitch) by plucking strings with fingers or using a
bow
Woodwinds:
Produce sound when air is blown through a reed or across an
opening; pitch is modified by finger holes or keys
Brass:
Produce sound when the lips are buzzed and air is forced into tubes
or coils; pitch is modified by lengthening or shortening air flow
with valves or a slide
Percussion:
Produce sound by shaking, hitting or scraping.
Instruments of the Orchestra - Strings
Violin, viola, cello, double bass,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ueJcRmfweSM
Instruments of the Orchestra - Woodwinds
piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon,
contrabassoon.
Instruments of the Orchestra - Brass
Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Instruments of the Orchestra - Percussion
Timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle
What do they play?
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The repertoire (collection of musical pieces) of a
symphony orchestra is usually classical music or
opera.
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Orchestras sometimes play popular music
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Symphony orchestras also commonly used to perform
film scores
- Score: the sheet music for a composition. It includes all parts written
for each instrument
Orchestra Seating
Musical Compositions
Symphony: composition for orchestra in 4
movements
1. fast, dramatic
2. lyrical, slow
3. dance – minuet or scherzo
4. brilliant/heroic, fast
Concerto:
musical work for solo instrument or small
group & orchestra
Musical Compositions
Concerto grosso:
composition that alternates between a soloist and the
orchestra
Theme & Variation:
composition where one theme is stated then
altered in successive statements
Sonata:
composition in several movements for soloist or
small ensemble
Musical Compositions
Rondo:
musical form with a recurring theme
Cantata:
Vocal genre for solo singers, chorus and instrumentalists based
on a lyric or dramatic poetic narrative
Oratorio:
Large-scale dramatic piece, based on a text of religious or
serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and
orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes
or action.
Fugue:
composition where the theme is imitated and overlaps