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

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Answer:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra?

Answer: Concerto usually refers to a musical work in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.

What seats are better mezzanine or orchestra?

Closer up on the sides, close to the aisle, can be better than center orchestra farther back. ... Mezzanine seating can offer a more panoramic view and, if you're in the first row or two, you'll often be closer to the stage than you would have been in the orchestra.

How much does an orchestral flutist make?

Major orchestra salaries range by the orchestra from a little over $100,000 to a little over $150,000. Principals, the ranking member of each orchestra section, can make a great deal more, in some instances more than $400,000. And most major orchestras play for a season lasting only about nine- months a year.

Is the Boston Symphony Orchestra good?

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), founded in 1881, is one of the foremost orchestras in the world....… … arts in Massachusetts, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra generally is regarded as among the finest musical...…

Do orchestras use equal temperament?

Meanwhile, an orchestra is made of a bunch of instruments, some of which tune naturally by ear—strings, woodwinds, brass—but also instruments in fixed, equal temperament: harp, marimbas and xylophones, harpsichord and piano, etc.

Where does the Toronto Symphony Orchestra play?

Roy Thomson Hall

Why is percussion at the back of the orchestra?

Percussion is, by its very nature, L O U D if you are close to it. Putting it at the back of an orchestra does two things. It allows a bit of space which mellows the sound, and second puts a lot of soft sound absorbers (other members of the orchestra) between the player and the audience.

17 Related Question Answers Found:

Where are orchestra seats located?

Orchestra seats are located in the lowest level of the theater, the same level as the stage, though, of course, the stage is raised so that it is accessible for everybody to see.

What is the name of Atlanta's orchestra?

The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra (ABO), founded in 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia, is the first and oldest professional orchestra in the Southeastern United States of America dedicated to historically informed performance, (also called "authentic performance practice") of music from the Baroque era on period instruments.

How much does it cost to attend an orchestra?

Tickets on the floor range from $50–100 depending on where they are, and there were some general admission tickets on the second balcony (the furthest away/highest seats) for $15. It depends on several factors, including venue, type of performance, and seating location.

What string instruments would you usually find in an orchestra?

There are four stringed instruments commonly used in the modern orchestra: the violin, viola, cello, and bass. All are made of wood and have four strings. All are usually played by drawing a bow across the strings, but are also sometimes played by plucking the strings.

How sound propagates in an orchestra concert?

In a typical concert hall, the sound bounces off a wall near the stage before it reaches a more distant wall and bounces off it. The reflected sound always reaches our ears after the direct sound arrives.

What skills do orchestras teach?

Orchestra members have to work together to make music. Children learn to wait to play their instrument at the proper time, learn to adjust to fit their movements and sounds with those of others. They are learning how to cooperate and collaborate, they are learning sympathy and empathy.

What era was the orchestra invented?

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.

Why do orchestras tune to a440?

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 are the string instruments in an orchestra?

The strings are the largest family of instruments in the orchestra and they come in four sizes: the violin, which is the smallest, viola, cello, and the biggest, the double bass, sometimes called the contrabass.

Why are there two sets of violins in an orchestra?

But why do orchestras need two violin sections? While the first violin section normally has the melody or counter-melody, the second violin section tends to play a lower harmony. ... Simply put, there need to be enough violins to balance out the bright, penetrating sound of the oboe.

Who wrote orchestral songs?

10 Classical Music Composers to KnowLudwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) ... Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) ... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91) ... Johannes Brahms (1833–97) ... Richard Wagner (1813–83) ... Claude Debussy (1862–1918) ... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–93) ... Frédéric Chopin (1810–49)More items...