What is the purpose of the saxophone in the orchestra?

Answer:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

What are the four main sections of the orchestra name and describe each one?

Answer:The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of related musical instruments called the woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass).

Is a row of string players in an orchestra called a desk?

In a typical stage set-up, the first and second violins, violas and cellos are seated by twos, a pair of performers sharing a stand being called a "desk", Each principal (or section leader) is usually on the "outside" of the first desk, that is, closest to the audience.

How are orchestras tuned?

An orchestra tunes itself to a very particular frequency, usually 440 hertz, a note known as A 440. The note is played by the oboist, and the rest of the orchestra tunes their instruments to match it. The oboe leads the tuning because of all the instruments, it is least affected by humidity or other weather conditions.

Is a violin in orchestra or band?

Articles Archive. Band instruments typically include: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet or Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba and Percussion. Orchestra instruments typically include: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass.

15 Related Question Answers Found:

Did the Titanic have an orchestra?

The orchestra of the Titanic was a group of musicians who played aboard the ship to entertain the first class passengers. They are known for playing throughout the ship's sinking. There was also a string trio that catered to the super wealthy passengers who dined in the A La Carte Restaurant.

What orchestra did Bernstein conduct?

The New York Philharmonic Overview. Leonard Bernstein will be always associated with the New York Philharmonic as a conductor, being the orchestra's Music Director from 1958 - 1969, and thereafter Conductor Emeritus.

What is the piano role in the orchestra?

The piano, in common with two other percussion instruments, cannot be played in an orchestral ensemble without being recognised. But, unlike those others, it happens to possess the capacity of all key- board instruments for rendering full melodic, harmonic and contra- puntal effects.

What is the name for an Indonesian 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. ... The most well-known gamelan ensembles are those from the islands of Java and Bali.

Does the leader of an orchestra play?

As with all the principal seats in the Orchestra the leader will have many solos to play, some of them as demanding as the solo concerto repertoire although thankfully often shorter! ... The leader is also consulted on rehearsal scheduling, planning, repertoire and choosing conductors.

What key does an orchestra 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.

Who is the best orchestra in the world?

Welcome to Gramophone ...8 Los Angeles Philharmonic. ... 7 Cleveland Orchestra. ... 6 Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. ... 5 Chicago Symphony Orchestra. ... 4 London Symphony Orchestra. ... 3 Vienna Philharmonic. ... 2 Berlin Philharmonic. ... 1 Royal Concertgebouw.

What is the loudest section in the orchestra?

The trumpet is generally considered the loudest instrument in the modern orchestra. The trumpet is often chosen to carry the melody when everyone in the entire emsemble is playing because it can cut through when most other instruments would be lost in a loud orchestral chord.

What is the difference between first and second violins in an orchestra?

All violinists in an orchestra have very high skill levels and the only difference between the two sections is the role they play in the orchestra. ... Often the second violins have to come out of the musical texture and play the melody themselves or play in unison with the first violins.

What instruments do orchestras tune to?

In that case, the clarinet becomes the de facto tuning instrument. Then there are keyboard instruments like piano, harpsichord or organ. The entire orchestra must tune to them, but the oboe still plays a role.

Are organs used in orchestras?

There exists in the orchestra repertoire a bulk of works which include the use of an organ. ... Orchestral instruments can adjust their dynamics to achieve balance, and instrumental composers have an intimate knowledge of their capabilities; therefore, their dynamic range is sufficient for what is asked of them.