Why do brass instruments sit at the back of the orchestra?

Answer:

Wind and brass instruments have a directional sound that naturally projects, so they are still audible from the back of the stage (usually on risers so that their sound travels over the heads of the other musicians without them having to strain to be heard).

Frequently Asked Questions

What family of instruments makes up the majority of the orchestra?

String Family

What instruments are included in an orchestra?

Instruments of the OrchestraString 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.

How many musicians are in the Indianapolis Symphony orchestra?

The result is a concert featuring the 100+ piece orchestra of students and professionals.

How much does a bass for orchestra cost?

A student bass will cost roughly $1,800-$3,000. An intermediate bass will cost $4,000-$10,000 or more.

What is instrument used to lead the orchestra?

Oboe

Is an orchestra a band?

An orchestra is a group of musicians and instrumentalists who are led by a conductor or music director to perform music on stage. A band is a group of vocalists and musicians who play music using a comparatively smaller set of instruments than orchestras.

23 Related Question Answers Found:

Does Hogwarts have an orchestra?

This orchestra was a musical group comprised of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students. They sometimes play by themselves, for public entertainment, and sometimes accompany the Frog Choir.

What is the role of the double bass in an orchestra?

The double bass is the biggest string instrument in the orchestra. It emits low and muted tones, sometimes rhythmic, sometimes long, but almost always incredibly powerful. The double bass part often forms a stable foundation over which the rest of the orchestra's notes can resound.

What do you know about orchestras and bands?

The most common question asked by parents and students alike is the difference between “Band” and “Orchestra.” Both are “performance-based large group music classes,” but there are differences. Band classes are made up of “Wind” and “Percussion” instruments whereas Orchestra classes are made up of “String” instruments.

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.

What is the difference between a band and orchestra?

An orchestra is a large group of musicians which can include even 100 or more members. A band is a small group of musicians which generally includes a lesser number of members than orchestras. Orchestras use four main families of instruments – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Could an orchestra perform without a 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.

What is the easiest instrument to play in the orchestra?

The flute is a great instrument for beginners and is one of the most popular, especially for school age learners. The flute is small and compact, easy to learn, and is one of the more affordable instruments in the orchestra.

What size is an average 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 the role of the orchestra?

Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance with movements of the hands and arms, often made easier for the musicians to see by use of a conductor's baton. ... The leader of the first violin section – commonly called the concertmaster – also plays an important role in leading the musicians.

What instruments are in a jazz orchestra?

A jazz orchestra, also called a “big band,” typically consists of 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, and a rhythm section (made up of piano, bass, guitar and drums). Sometimes the Jazz Orchestra will add vibraphone (which is a part of the xylophone family), clarinet, violin and singers to the group.

What is the largest section in the orchestra?

The string section is the largest in the orchestra. It is comprised of instruments that derive their musical sound from the vibration of tuned strings. The orchestra contains two large groups of violins, plus groups of the violin's larger, lower-pitched relatives: the viola, the cello, and the double bass.

What are the best symphony orchestras in the US?

Greatest Symphonies in the USSan Francisco Symphony Orchestra. The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was established in 1911. ... New York Philharmonic. ... Boston Symphony Orchestra. ... Los Angeles Philharmonic. ... Cleveland Orchestra. ... Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Do symphony orchestras use microphones?

Miking instrument sections A wide use of support microphones supplemented with relevant spot microphones for soloists will give total control of the orchestra, while a more modest number of support microphones can give the room information a higher priority in the recording.