Where does the term orchestra come from?

Answer:

The word stems from the Greek orchēstra, the circular part of the ancient Greek theatre in front of the proscenium in which the dancers and instrumentalists performed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are recorders used in orchestras?

In time, the recorder was replaced in the orchestra by woodwind instruments that were newer or being enhanced, such as the oboe and flute. Our contemporary interest in historically informed performance has returned the recorder to the concert stage.

What instrument supported by the orchestra plays the melody?

Calculate the PriceWhat instrument plays together with the orchestra in this excerpt? 00:00 – 16:48clarinetWhat woodwind instrument plays along with the orchestra? 01:07 – 01:20fluteWhat instrument, supported by the orchestra, plays the melody in this example? 00:17 – 01:00oboe.

What do you call a person conducting in an orchestra?

Conductor, in music, a person who conducts an orchestra, chorus, opera company, ballet, or other musical group in the performance and interpretation of ensemble works.

What trumpets are used in orchestras?

The C trumpet is most common in American orchestral playing, where it is used alongside the B♭ trumpet. Orchestral trumpet players are adept at transposing music at sight, frequently playing music written for the A, B♭, D, E♭, E, or F trumpet on the C trumpet or B♭ trumpet.

Which orchestra Drums can be tuned?

Timpani are tuned instruments, which means they can play different notes. The timpanist changes the pitch by stretching or loosening the drumheads, which are attached to a foot pedal. Timpani are a central part of the percussion family because they support rhythm, melody and harmony.

16 Related Question Answers Found:

Why have we never seen a saxophone before in orchestral music?

Being relatively easy for beginner musicians, the saxophone is popular for both learning and listening. However, we rarely see it in orchestra concerts. Why? Many believe that the saxophone's timbre is hard to blend, out-of-tune, and simply too loud.

What is musical composition for the whole orchestra?

Symphony, a lengthy form of musical composition for orchestra, normally consisting of several large sections, or movements, at least one of which usually employs sonata form (also called first-movement form).

Which woodwind instrument do we not usually find in an orchestra?

Organ – Even though the organ is one of the oldest wind instruments in the world, it is not used too often in classical orchestral works. The modern day pipe organs are much more complicated than the original which may help to explain why they are left out of most concerts.

What do you call the leader of an orchestra?

Conductor: The leader of the orchestra, who provides the beat by moving his/her arms, usually with a baton in one hand, to keep all members of the orchestra together and ensure that players come in at the correct time.

Do Broadway shows have live orchestras?

Live music is one of the many essential elements of a Broadway musical. ... We invite you to explore behind the scenes – take a virtual tour and visit our orchestra members, look at the galleries and media pages, and get to know the talented musicians that make music each night on the Great White Way.

How many instruments are in a standard 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 is meant by orchestral Colour?

In music, the equivalent to colour is timbre—that is, the sonic characteristics that distinguish various instruments or voices even as they play or sing the same notes. Timbre is commonly referred to as orchestral or vocal colour.

Why is the gamelan considered an Indonesian orchestra?

Gamelan, also spelledgamelang or gamelin, the indigenous orchestra type of the islands of Java and Bali, in Indonesia, consisting largely of several varieties of gongs and various sets of tuned metal instruments that are struck with mallets. ... The voice is then part of the orchestral texture.

What is an orchestra performance called?

Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire, including symphonies, opera and ballet overtures, concertos for solo instruments, and as pit ensembles for operas, ballets, and some types of musical theatre (e.g., Gilbert and Sullivan operettas).

Which string instrument would you find in a 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.

What is the greatest orchestra in the world?

Best Orchestras In The World: Greatest Top 10The London Symphony Orchestra. ... The LA Philharmonic. ... The Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment. ... The Royal Concertgebouw. ... The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. ... The Aurora Orchestra. ... The New York Philharmonic. ... The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

What does a pit orchestra member do?

Pit orchestra musicians are not soloists. While they may perform an involved or public-facing role in certain theatrical performances, their chief job is to expertly accompany without drawing attention away from the dramatic, narrative, or visual action.

What is a full orchestra called?

A full-size Western orchestra may sometimes be called a symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra (from Greek phil-, "loving", and "harmony"). ... A chamber orchestra (sometimes concert orchestra) is a smaller ensemble of not more than about fifty musicians.

Can an orchestra play without conductor?

If you just pick up the right kind of students, they will become conductors.” Lintu acknowledges that most orchestras nowadays could play quite well together without the involvement of a conductor. ... Because most of the orchestras in the world can play together without any conductor.