What is the difference between instrumentation and orchestration?

Answer:

For the purposes of this article, instrumentation refers to the body of knowledge about instruments: the mechanics of sound production and the techniques of performers. Orchestration refers to the use of technical knowledge to assign musical content to instruments in an ensemble to achieve a sonorous effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Dark Star Orchestra concert?

3.5 hours

Why are there more string instruments in an orchestra?

Orchestras generally have as many string players as they can afford, space permitting. Big budget orchestras will have much larger string sections than orchestras with smaller budgets. Opera orchestras use a smaller string section due to space limitations in the pit.

Who are the Philharmonic Orchestra?

The orchestra consists of adults who have a keen and serious interest to perform music. Formerly known as the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Society (PCOS), the group became The Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) to better reflect its intention to perform both symphonic and chamber works.

Why do you need a conductor in 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.

What are the 2 types of orchestras?

Two basic orchestras exist—chamber orchestras (small!) and symphony orchestras (big!). Chamber orchestras employ about 50 or fewer musicians (who may all play strings).

What types of instruments are in an orchestra?

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

20 Related Question Answers Found:

Is the harpsichord in the modern orchestra?

The harpsichord was largely obsolete, and seldom played, during a period lasting from the late 18th century to the early 20th. The instrument was successfully revived during the 20th century, first in an ahistorical form strongly influenced by the piano, then with historically more faithful instruments.

How many players are in a full orchestra?

A full-scale orchestra playing a symphony includes at least 90 musicians, while a smaller orchestra playing a chamber piece ranges from 15 to 45. Sections of the orchestra can perform separately? a string orchestra, for example, includes about 60 musicians.

Who played in the Glenn Miller Orchestra?

Miller began professionally recording in New York City as a sideman in the hot jazz era of the late 1920s. With the arrival of virtuoso trombonists Jack Teagarden and Tommy Dorsey, Miller focused more on developing his arrangement skills....Glenn Miller Orchestra. Glenn Miller and His OrchestraPast memberssee members section.

Which is harder band or 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.

Why is there no saxophone in orchestra?

The composers and conductors were unwilling to fight with the orchestra members, and the orchestral saxophone was cast aside. So, the next time you see a saxophone in an orchestra, remember that its presence in the ensemble is a very contentious issue.

Why are the strings the backbone of the orchestra?

Yet another reason why a string section is often considered as the backbone of the orchestra, is because of their numbers. The string section may have 12 first violins, 12 2nd violin, 10 violas, 10 cellos, 5 double basses. ... Thus they have to gang up in large numbers.

Do orchestras have microphones?

Since the 1960s, music theatre companies have reinforced the sound of the orchestra by placing microphones on instruments and amplifying them through a public address system. While this results in a louder sound, it may not correctly reproduce the ensemble sound and instrument tone.

How many hours do Orchestra musicians work?

Orchestra members spend an average of 20 hours per week performing and rehearsing, time that is broken into approximately eight "services", a catchall term that encompasses both rehearsals and concerts. They tend to work in the morning or at night, including on weekends and often major holidays.

What key do orchestras tune to?

Orchestras always tune to 'A', because every string instrument has an 'A' string. The standard pitch is A=440 Hertz (440 vibrations per second). Some orchestras favor a slightly higher pitch, like A=442 or higher, which some believe results in a brighter sound.

What brass instruments are in an orchestra?

Brass instruments in the orchestra traditionally fall into the four categories of horns, trumpets, trombones and tubas. A typical combination of such instruments in a full symphony orchestra is four horns, two trumpets, three trombones and one tuba.

What is the role of the flute in an orchestra?

As well as being capable of extreme virtuosity the flute can create beautiful sustained melodies. It also blends perfectly with all instruments and spends much of its time providing background colour to foreground activity elsewhere in the orchestra. The flute is the highest pitched instrument of the woodwind section.

Who came up with the idea of an orchestra?

The word derives from the ancient Greek part of a stage where instruments and the chorus combined music and drama to create theater. 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.

What year was the first orchestra created?

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.

Who created the first orchestra?

The word derives from the ancient Greek part of a stage where instruments and the chorus combined music and drama to create theater. 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.

What role does the saxophone play in an orchestra?

Saxophones come in many shapes and sizes from tiny high pitched sopranino saxes to massive contrabass instruments which can be almost two metres tall. The saxophone is a wind instrument with a reed and the body is made of brass, and so it forms a bridge between the woodwind and brass sections of the orchestra.