The typical orchestra is divided into four groups of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The typical Western marching band, school band, or wind ensemble (woodwinds and brass together are winds) leaves out the strings, but otherwise uses most of the same instruments as the orchestra.
Playing in an orchestra is typically harder than a band. Orchestral music is more complex and the fewer wind and percussion players are more exposed than in a band. Although marching bands may seem physically harder, playing demanding orchestra music is also physically and mentally taxing.
Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance with movements of the hands and arms, often made easier for the musicians to see by use of a conductor's baton. The conductor unifies the orchestra, sets the tempo and shapes the sound of the ensemble.
Greek
Percussion instruments keep the rhythm, make special sounds and add excitement and color. ... The most common percussion instruments in the orchestra include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes, celesta, and piano.
The first chair is basically the best player of the section. That means that the person in that chair has an opportunity to teach the rest of the section how to do certain things. For example, an orchestra: the first chair would be the example of the bowing and fingering.
Percussion instruments include any instrument that makes a sound when it is hit, shaken, or scraped. ... The most common percussion instruments in the orchestra include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes, celesta, and piano.
Standard Orchestral Instruments. ... 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets and 2 bassoons (woodwind instruments) 2 or 4 French horns, 2 trumpets (brass instruments) 2 timpani or “kettle drums” (percussion instruments) 12 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos and 2 double basses (string instruments)
Someone writing in The New York Times would refer to the Big Five American orchestras: the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Violins are the most popular and most needed instrument of the group, usually employing one group to play the melody, and a second group to play the accompaniment.
Dominating these two groups of instruments is the drum (kendang), which unites them and acts as leader. Javanese gamelans frequently include singers, while most Balinese gamelans consist exclusively of percussion instruments.
Orchestra seats are located in the lowest level of the theater, the same level as the stage, though, of course, the stage is raised so that it is accessible for everybody to see.
A conductor is a person who stands in front of an orchestra or choir and directs its performance.
The salary range for Section Leaders in the Hallé is £41,136 - £46,431 and the Principal Bassoon salary will be £43,792 per annum. Other benefits include an excellent, contributory pension scheme and a health insurance scheme. The Hallé also insures members of the Orchestra's instruments.
Big band leader James Last has died in Florida, aged 86. The German-born musician's manager said he died at his home "peacefully and in the presence of his family". Last sold millions of records with his trademark "happy music" - upbeat versions of pop and classical favourites performed by his orchestra.
Aria Song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment, usually expressing an emotional state through its outpouring of melody; found in operas, oratorios, and cantatas.
A full complement of strings, usually two to four on a part, often sufficed for the “full orchestra,” in addition to the one to three instruments needed to play and realize the basso continuo.
The first semblance of a modern orchestra came in the early 17th century when the Italian opera composer Claudio Monteverdi formally assigned specific instruments to perform his music.
The entire orchestra must tune to them, but the oboe still plays a role. When a keyboard instrument joins the orchestra as either a featured instrument or just a section member, the oboist listens to the 'A' played by the keyboard, matches it, and plays it so the rest of the orchestra can hear.
Instruments capable of chromatic runs over their whole range at high speed:
Saxophonist typically sit in the woodwind section of the orchestra. Even though a saxophone is mostly made out of brass materials, it is considered a woodwind instrument. In the audience section. Unless it's a jazz orchestra, then they are typically in the front row.