What is the main instrument family in an orchestra?

Answer:

Orchestra instruments are grouped into four main families: the string family, the woodwind family, the brass family, and the percussion family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many musicians are on a Broadway orchestra?

However, because of financial, space, and volume concerns, the musical theatre pit orchestra in the 2000s is considerably smaller (at most 20–30 musicians, including not more than ten string players).

Why do the strings sit at the front of the orchestra?

Also, the string section usually has the most notes and highest percentage of melody, so it would make sense to put them in front, where they are visible–both to the audience and to each other–and have the best chance of being heard. ... Absil, so for the most precise ensemble playing, the strings need to be in the front.

How much do orchestral instruments cost?

Prices were looked up on Musical Instruments Store and given that we are talking about professional musicians, I picked the expensive choices: Violin: $3000 /piece. Cello : $5000/piece. Double Bass: $4000/piece.

How long has orchestra been around?

People have been putting instruments together in various combinations for millennia, but it wasn't un- til about 400 years ago that musicians started forming combinations that would eventually turn into the modern orchestra. Around 1600 in Italy, the composer Claudio Monteverdi changed that.

What is the violins role in the orchestra?

If the string section is the most defining of the orchestra, the violins are generally the most defining members of the string family (don't tell the cellists). The violins carry the melody, particularly the first violins. The second violins will often support the first violins' harmony by playing it in a lower pitch.

17 Related Question Answers Found:

Is the National Symphony Orchestra good?

The NSO is a puzzle. It doesn't lack for money; it doesn't lack for talent. There have always been some excellent musicians in its ranks, and in recent years, some of the weaker links, players who were rumored to have kept some potential music directors away, have been weeded out.

Who created the modern orchestra?

In the 18th century in Germany, Johann Stamitz and other composers in what is known as the Mannheim school established the basic composition of the modern symphony orchestra: four sections, consisting of woodwinds (flutes, oboes, and bassoons), brass (horns and trumpets), percussion (two timpani), and strings (first ...

What does an orchestra concertmaster do?

Simultaneously the most skilled and knowledgeable violinist of the orchestra while also the chief intermediary between the musicians and the conductor, the concertmaster is responsible for dictating bowings to the first violin section; playing solo passages in the absence of a guest soloist; understanding the ...

What percussion is used in an orchestra?

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.

What happened to the orchestra in the classical era?

The orchestra increased in size and range, and became more standardised. The harpsichord or pipe organ basso continuo role in orchestra fell out of use between 1750 and 1775, leaving the string section woodwinds became a self-contained section, consisting of clarinets, oboes, flutes and bassoons.

Are woodwinds in the orchestra?

The modern orchestra's woodwind section typically includes: flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. The piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, and contrabassoon are commonly used supplementary woodwind instruments.

How big is the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra?

The orchestra gives an annual series of concerts at the Festival Hall and, since 2004, has had a permanent home at Cadogan Hall, a former church in Chelsea, converted into a 900-seat concert hall and rehearsal space.

How do you make a good music orchestra?

10 Composer Tips for writing Orchestral MusicFirst create a piano reduction. ... Nothing is more important than the musical motif (melody, main idea) and the bass line. ... In the orchestra the strings are often the most iconic part. ... Horns are easier than you think. ... Less is most definitely more. ... Hybrid elements. Fler objekt ...

Are modern orchestras bigger than earlier orchestras?

Modern orchestras are a bit smaller than in the Romantic Era (symphony and other very large orchestras still exist). Some may focus on the unique (or even bizarre) sounds of individual instruments. The modern symphony orchestra varies in size, but typically has a strength of about 100.

What instruments were in a typical orchestra?

Instruments of the Orchestra

  • String family. Violin. Viola [vee-OH-lah] Cello (violoncello) [CHEL-low] ...
  • Woodwind family. Flute, Piccolo. Oboe, English horn. Clarinet, Bass clarinet. ...
  • Brass family. Trumpet. Horn (French horn) Trombone. ...
  • Keyboards and Harp. Celesta [cheh-LESS-tah] Piano. Harpsichord.

Does Purdue University have an orchestra?

The Purdue Orchestras program consists of the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra, which both boast a full complement of strings, winds, and percussion.

What is high school orchestra?

String Orchestra (Orchestra 2.1) is an open ensemble for grades 10-12. ... Concert Orchestra (Orchestra 2.2) is an intermediate/advanced ensemble for grades 10-12 by teacher recommendation. Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra 3) is a 10th-12th grade auditioned ensemble.