Is orchestra a Greek word?

Answer:

The word orchestra comes from the actual space in which an orchestra plays; the Greek orkhestra means "a space where a chorus of dancers performs," from orkheisthai, "to dance."

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trombones are in a symphony orchestra?

3 trombones

What instruments are in orchestra in middle school?

Important information is provided (Beginning Instruments) for students who play or wish to play band instruments - flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, F horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion - or orchestral instruments - violin ...

What is the role of the first violinist in an orchestra?

In general, the first violinist, or the concertmaster, carries the tune or the melody of a particular piece of music, while the second violinist plays the harmony. In a professional orchestra, the position of first violinist is usually paid more than other members of the orchestra.

What are the four different sections or families of the orchestra called?

The Sections of the Orchestra. The typical orchestra is divided into four groups of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

What is a Chinese orchestra called?

The China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) (Chinese: 中国 中央 民族 乐团 or 中央 民族 乐团; also called China National Orchestra) is a 110-piece orchestra of traditional Chinese musical instruments with an accompanying folk choir.

Can piano be in an orchestra?

The piano is an entire orchestra in itself – but sometimes its sound is a part of the big symphony orchestra.

Is a double bass in an orchestra?

The double bass is the largest string instrument in the orchestra and with its warm, deep tones it is often thought of as the supporting the rest of the orchestra.

16 Related Question Answers Found:

What are three facts about the orchestra?

Top 10 facts about orchestraThe word 'orchestra' derives from a Greek phrase meaning 'dancing place'.When the word 'orchestra' first appeared in English it meant 'the art of dancing'.The Royal Danish Orchestra claims to be the world's oldest still in existence.

Can an orchestra play a sonata?

A sonata can be played by an orchestra or just one instrument, like a piano. ... Beethoven and Mozart famously composed sonatas for the piano, and modern composers continue to write sonatas for many different instruments.

Where is the piano in the orchestra?

Do you think the piano belongs in this section? Well, it does have strings, 88 of them, but most experts consider it a percussion instrument because of the way the strings are struck by small hammers to make their sound. Therefore you will find it listed under the Percussion section later on this page.

Do orchestras have euphonium?

The three most common instruments in orchestras are the bass, the contrabass, and the euphonium. The tubas are of course the bass instrument of the brass section, but they are more than capable of playing melodies in the tenor register.

Do orchestras really need conductors?

It keeps an orchestra or a choir in time and together. But that's just the starting point. Most importantly a conductor serves as a messenger for the composer. It is their responsibility to understand the music and convey it through gesture so transparently that the musicians in the orchestra understand it perfectly.

What are the 4 Orchestra families?

Each instrument has unique characteristics, such as the different ways they produce a sound, the materials used to create them, and their overall appearance. These characteristics ultimately divide instruments into four families: woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings.

How important is the double bass in the orchestra?

The double bass provides a unique sound in classical music. The instrument can play much lower than anyone can sing, and it provides the foundation for the orchestra's sound. ... In an orchestra, basses are almost always way over on the right side of the stage.

How do orchestra conductors work?

The conductor is there to bring a musical score to life, communicating their own highly refined sense of the work through an individual language of gestures, which might sculpt the musical line, tease out nuances, emphasise certain musical elements while controlling others, and essentially re-imagine an old piece anew.

What instruments are in a typical symphony orchestra?

A Symphony Orchestra is defined as a large ensemble composed of wind, string, brass and percussion instruments and organized to perform classical music. Wind instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoons. String instruments include harp, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

How good is the Cleveland Orchestra?

In October 2020 The New York Times called it "America's finest [orchestra], still", and in 2012 Gramophone Magazine ranked the Cleveland Orchestra number 7 on its list of the world's greatest orchestras.

What's it like to be in an orchestra?

It's motivating to be so connected with those around you that you have synchronized breathing with them. Many times, different instruments will know each other's parts so well that they will breathe, move, and focus on the same things at the same time. There is also a feeling of power when playing in an orchestra.

What was the size of a classical orchestra?

Classical Orchestra (1750-1830) Classical orchestras used 30 to 60 players in four sections: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Classical composers exploited the individual tone colours of instruments and they do not treat instruments interchangeably.

What is the average size of an orchestra?

A symphony orchestra will usually have over eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred, but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played and the size of the venue.