Instruments

of the
Orchestra.
Orchestra
Orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music,
which combines instrument’s from different families.
There are four main section of the orchestra
1. String section
2. Wood wind section
3. Brass wind section
4. Percussion section.

Seating plan of the orchestra.

The Role of the Conductor.
The conductor of an orchestra conduct musicians by guiding the tempo,
dynamics, and overall interpretation of the music. They ensure all the
instruments play together harmoniously and communicate their vision
of the piece to the orchestra, often using gestures, facial expressions,
and a baton.

The Role of the Concert Master.

The concertmaster is the lead violinist. As the violinist with the highest
“rank”, he/she sits in the first chair, next to the conductor's podium.
The concertmaster leads the orchestra in its tuning prior to the concert,
and customarily plays all of the violin solos within pieces.
 String Instruments
String instruments produce sound with the help of strings. They can be
bowed or plucked.
Bowed string instruments - Violin Viola, Violoncello, Double bass
Plucked strings instruments - Harp, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin etc.

Violin.
 Smallest member and the highest pitch instrument of the bowed
string family.
 It has 4 strings which are stretched across it’s hollow body.
 Strings are tuned in perfect 5ths.
 The open strings are G D A E.
 The pegs are used to tighten or slacken the strings so that is the
way of the tuning the violin.
 The violin has a wide range of tone, from its brilliant high notes to
its rich lower notes
Viola
 2’ inches bigger than the violin.
 Strings are tuned in perfect 5ths.
 The open strings are C G D A
 Perfect 5th lower than the violin
 The viola is tuned in the same way as violin
 The range of the viola is not as great as the violin.
 Music of the viola is written in alto clef, avoid to the difficulty of
reading the leger lines below the stave.

Violoncello
 The cello is held between the player's knees and propped up on
the floor by a spike.
 The bow is shorter and heavier than the violin and viola's bow.
 Cello is a very expressive instrument able to produce rich and
singing sounds.
 It has wide range of volume than the other string instruments.
 The open strings are C G D A
 Which sound one octave lower than those of the viola.
 The strings are tuned in perfect 5ths
 Music of the cello is written in bass clef, except for very high
notes which are sometimes written in the tenor or treble clef to
avoid many ledger lines.
 Double Bass.
 The double bass is the largest of the string instruments played
with a bow.
 It's about 6 feet
 Player has to stand or to sit on a high stool.
 Unlike the other strings instruments the bass is tuned in fourths.
 The open strings are E A D G
 Double bass is a transposing instrument sounds an octave lower
than the written.
 The double bass is an important member of the orchestra, adding
strong foundation to the sound
 Wind Instruments.
Wind instruments are a family of musical instruments that
produce sound by the vibration of air. The player creates this
vibration by blowing air into or across a mouthpiece. They can
be categorized as
 Woodwind instruments
 Brasswind instruments.

Woodwind instruments.
 Woodwind instruments are a category of wind instruments that
produce sound when the player blows air either directly across an
opening (like in flutes) or through a reed (as in clarinets and
oboes).
 These instruments were traditionally made of wood, which is how
they got their name, but modern versions can also be made from
metals, plastics, or other materials.
 The mouthpieces for some woodwinds, including the clarinet,
oboe and bassoon, use a reed, which vibrates when you blow
across it.
 The clarinet uses a single reed made of one piece of wood, while
the oboe and bassoon use a double reed made of two pieces
joined together.
 Just as with the stringed instruments, the smaller woodwinds play
higher pitches while the longer and larger instruments play the
lower notes. The woodwind family of instruments includes, from
the highest sounding instruments to the lowest, the piccolo, flute,
oboe, English horn, clarinet, E-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon
and contrabassoon.

Reed less Instruments.

Reed less woodwinds, also known as flutes, do not use reeds to

produce sound. Instead, the player creates sound by blowing air
across an opening or edge, causing the air within the tube to
vibrate.

Flute
The flute is one of the oldest and most widely used reed less
woodwinds. It is held horizontally, and the player blows air across
the mouthpiece (embouchure hole) to create sound. The flute’s
tone is bright and clear, and it has a wide range, making it a staple
in orchestras and various ensembles.
Piccolo
The piccolo is a smaller, higher-pitched version of the flute. It
produces a very bright, piercing sound and is often used in
military bands and orchestral music for its brilliant high notes.

Recorder
The recorder is a vertical (end-blown) flute that has a fipple, or
duct, mouthpiece. It comes in various sizes (soprano, alto, tenor,
bass) and is often used in educational settings as well as in early
music ensembles.
Single reed instruments.
Single-reed instruments use a single piece of reed that vibrates
against the mouthpiece when the player blows air through it. The
vibration of the reed creates the sound.

Clarinet
The clarinet is a cylindrical instrument with a single reed attached
to a mouthpiece. It has a wide range of notes and a rich, versatile
tone, used in various musical genres from classical to jazz.

Saxophone
Though made of brass, the saxophone is classified as a woodwind
instrument because it uses a single reed. Saxophones come in
various sizes, such as soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone, each with
a distinctive sound, often associated with jazz, classical, and
popular music.
 Double reed instruments.
Double-reed instruments use two reeds placed back to back, and
when the player blows air between them, the reeds vibrate
against each other, producing sound. This creates a distinctive,
often piercing, and expressive tone.

Oboe
The oboe uses a double reed, consisting of two thin pieces of cane
that vibrate against each other when air is blown through them.
The oboe has a penetrating, bright sound, often used to carry the
melody in orchestral pieces.

English horn ( Cor Anglaise)

Despite its name, the English horn is not a horn but a larger and
lower-pitched version of the oboe. It has a mellower, more
rounded sound.
Bassoon
The bassoon is the largest and lowest-pitched of the standard
woodwinds. It also uses a double reed and produces a deep, rich
sound with a slightly nasal quality. It's often used for bass lines or
comical, quirky melodies.

Contrabassoon (double bassoon)

An even larger and lower-pitched version of the bassoon, the
contrabassoon produces very deep, resonant tones and is often
used in orchestral music to reinforce the bass line.
 Brass wind Instruments.
Brass wind instruments are a family of musical instruments that
produce sound by the vibration of the player's lips as they blow
air into a mouthpiece. The vibration is then amplified and shaped
by the instrument's tubing. Brass instruments are known for their
bright, powerful sound and are commonly used in orchestras,
bands, and jazz ensembles.
Material
Made primarily from brass, though other metals may be used.
Valves/Slide
Most brass instruments use valves to change pitch, except the
trombone, which uses a slide.
Mouthpiece
A cup-shaped mouthpiece is typical, influencing the tone and
playability.
Sound Production
Players must "buzz" their lips against the mouthpiece, creating
the initial sound that the instrument amplifies.
 Trumpet
 The highest-pitched brass instrument.
 Often used in classical, jazz, and popular music.
 Features three valves and a bright, piercing tone.

Trombone
 Unique among brass instruments for its use of a slide instead of
valves.
 Produces a wide range of notes, often associated with jazz,
classical, and marching bands.
 Known for its deep, rich sound.

French horn
 Has a circular shape with a wide bell. It has a narrow conical tube
about 3.75m long.
 The player supports the instrument with right hand inside bell.
 By changing the hand position of player’s hand, player can mute
sound, stop the sound to raise or lower the pitch of the note
slightly and change the tone colour to more forced sound.
 Commonly used in orchestras and film scores.
Tuba
 The largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument.
 Provides the bass foundation in brass and wind ensembles.
 Known for its deep, resonant tone.

Euphonium
 Similar in appearance to a small tuba but with a higher pitch.
 Often used in brass bands and military bands.
 Percussion Instruments.
Percussion instrument are produce sound when struck, rubbed,
clashed, or shaken. They can be divided into 2 categories as
 Definite pitched instruments
 Indefinite pitched instruments.
Definite pitched instruments.
These instruments can play melody, harmony, and rhythms.

Timpani ( Kettle Drum )

Xylophone

Glockenspiel

Celeste Tubular Bells

Indefinite Pitched Instruments.
These instruments are used for special effects. They can play only
rhythms.

Bass drum Snare Drum Cymbals

Castanets Triangle Maracas

Woodblock Gong
 Non Transposing Instruments
Name Range
Flute

Oboe

Bassoon

Tenor Trombone

Bass Trombone

Tuba
Violin

Viola

Cello