How many members are in the gamelan orchestra?

Answer:

The tradition is strongest in Bali and Java–its name is from the Javanese word for hammer, gamel. It is played quite differently from Western music, with a 50-piece orchestra of mostly percussion instruments that are built and tuned as one unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sections do orchestras have?

Four

How does a symphony orchestra work?

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.

What is the size of a full orchestra?

A smaller-sized orchestra (forty to fifty musicians or fewer) is called a chamber orchestra. A full-size orchestra (eighty to one hundred musicians or more) may be called a symphony orchestra.

What happened to Glenn Miller and his Orchestra?

Popular big band leader Glenn Miller lost his life in a plane crash during the Second World War. To this day, the exact cause of the fatal crash and the death of those on the plane with him remains a mystery. Some even believed the story of a plane crash was a cover story for a more sordid end.

Why does orchestra warm up before a performance?

For most musicians, the practice room and the stage are, performatively speaking, light years away, and warming up onstage is a way for a musician to sneak in for herself a little bit of a dress rehearsal, to perform before an (assembling) audience while tricking herself into thinking she isn't really performing.

Why is gamelan orchestra important to Indonesia?

Today, gamelan is an important feature of shadow puppet shows, dances, rituals, and other performances in Indonesia. Although stand-alone gamelan concerts are unusual, the music may also be heard frequently on the radio. Most Indonesians today have embraced this ancient musical form as their national sound.

What is a symphony orchestra definition?

A symphony is a large-scale musical composition, usually with three or four movements. ... A symphony orchestra (often just called “a symphony” for short) is an orchestra that has both the number of players and types of instruments required to play a symphony.

24 Related Question Answers Found:

What do you wear to an orchestra concert?

There is no official dress code, but you'll seeguests wearing everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. Most guests opt for business attire or business casual. Some people enjoy dressing up and making a special night of it, others prefer to dress more laid back. Generally, the only tuxes you'll see are on stage.

How many people make up Trans-Siberian Orchestra?

This united Trans-Siberian Orchestra featured 4 guitarists, 4 keyboard players, 2 drummers, 2 bassists, a full string section, and 24 vocalists and dancers performing in sync for nearly 80,000 people.

Are harps used in orchestras?

The harp is the only plucked-string instrument to be a regular member of the orchestra. ... Most typically there are one or two harps, though the Philadelphia and Metropolitan Operas are the only North American orchestras with second-harp positions these days.

Is orchestration the same as instrumentation?

Whereas "orchestration" refers to the deployment and combination of instruments in large ensembles, "instrumentation" is a wider term that also embraces the ingenuity of composers and arrangers in the handling of small ensembles.

Is gamelan an orchestra?

Gamelan, the term for a traditional musical ensemble in Indonesia, typically refers to a percussion orchestra composed predominantly of tunedgongs of various types and metal-keyed instruments.

What is in a full orchestra?

A modern full-scale symphony orchestra consists of approximately one hundred permanent musicians, most often distributed as follows: 16–18 1st violins, 16 2nd violins, 12 violas, 12 cellos, 8 double basses, 4 flutes (one with piccolo as a specialty), 4 oboes (one with English horn as a specialty), 4 clarinets (one with ...

What instruments are not part of the orchestra?

8 Instruments Rarely Used In OrchestraHarp – Although the harp is one of the most common instruments in the history of music, it is not always used in most classical compositions. ... Glass Armonica – ... Saxophone – ... Wagner Tuba – ... Alto Flute – ... Sarrusophone – ... Theremin – ... Organ –

How important is a conductor to an orchestra?

The primary responsibilities of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble, and to control the interpretation and pacing of the music. ... Typically, orchestral conductors use a baton more often than choral conductors.

How many instruments in an orchestra can you name?

A modern full-scale symphony orchestra consists of approximately one hundred permanent musicians, most often distributed as follows: 16–18 1st violins, 16 2nd violins, 12 violas, 12 cellos, 8 double basses, 4 flutes (one with piccolo as a specialty), 4 oboes (one with English horn as a specialty), 4 clarinets (one with ...

Why are orchestras called Pops?

In 1900 these performances officially became Pops (short for "Popular") concerts. ... The "Promenade Concerts," as they were originally called, were soon informally known as "Popular Concerts," which eventually became shortened to "Pops," the name officially adopted in 1900.

Why does an orchestra need so many instruments?

Although violins have a high, singing quality, they are not particularly loud. So, just as you need more upper voices to make sure they're heard over the lower voices in a choir, you need at least two violins per woodwind or brass instrument to achieve a balanced sound.

What is the best instrument in orchestra?

Best Instruments In a Traditional Orchestra Flute The flute is a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. ... Trumpet A trumpet is a blown musical instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. ... Clarinet. ... Bassoon. ... Saxophone The saxophone is a family of woodwind instruments. ... Xylophone.

How often do professional orchestras rehearse?

Some professional orchestras rehearse as little as two times before performing. Community orchestras usually have about 1-2 months of rehearsals prior to a concert. Still, that is not enough time to memorize 3 or 4 pieces which can span 3-6+ pages each.

Who Organises an orchestra?

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.

What does the guy in front of an orchestra do?

The guy with the stick is called a conducter and he is very important. He keeps time acting as a sort of metronome for everyone and he also indicates dynamics and such to different sections of the orchestra.

What is the conductor of an orchestra called?

Nomenclature. The principal conductor of an orchestra or opera company is sometimes referred to as a music director or chief conductor, or by the German words Kapellmeister or Dirigent (or, in the feminine, Dirigentin).