Types of Instruments in an Orchestra
An orchestra is a group of musicians that takes direction from a conductor to play music together. If an orchestra has more than 50 musicians, it is termed a symphony orchestra. If an orchestra has less than 50 musicians it is called a chamber orchestra. Orchestras typically have four sections of instruments making up the group as a whole.
The Conductor
An orchestra conductor generally assumes charge of the orchestra. Often the conductor has a dual role in the orchestra and serves as the music director as well. As the music director and conductor, the person in this position will choose music and musicians and interpret the way music selections should be performed by the orchestra. The conductor will take charge of both rehearsals and actual performances. The conductor must make sure that the music is performed accurately and must oversee the orchestra's playing to make sure tempo, dynamics and style are properly executed.
Brass
The brass section is comprised of trumpets, trombones, French horns and tubas. Brass instruments all share a common mouthpiece where the musician forces air through the mouthpiece by vibrating the lips together. The number of each instrument is dependent on the overall size of the orchestra. Generally, there are at least two of each instrument and may be many more. Some brass instruments that are common in bands but less common in orchestras include the baritone and the sousaphone.
Woodwinds
The woodwind section is comprised of the bassoon, flute, clarinet and oboe. Most woodwind instruments have a reed mouthpiece and the musician blows air into the mouthpiece while moving the fingers along holes to play different notes. The flute is an exception to this because it does not have a reed mouthpiece. The flute is included in the woodwind section, however, because the sound of this instrument fits well with the other woodwind instruments. Typically, there are at least two of each woodwind instrument in an orchestra (and may be more depending on the size of the entire orchestra). The saxophone, while a woodwind instrument, does not usually play with an orchestra.
Strings
The strings section consists of the bass, the cello, the violin and the viola. Each of these instruments has four strings. Typically, a musician plays a stringed instrument with a bow; however, the strings can also be plucked to produce sound. The largest stringed instrument is the bass. The cello is slightly smaller than the bass. The next largest stringed instrument is the viola. The violin is the smallest stringed instrument. There are often two violin sections, whereas, there is only one section of the other stringed instruments.
Percussion
Any instruments that do not fall under the previous instrument categories fit into the percussion section. Generally, this includes drums, cymbals, gongs, bells, whistles, and any other instruments that a musician must shake, rattle or slide to make noise. Common drums include the large timpani drums, snare drums, tenor drums and bass drums. Cymbals range in size from small ones all the way up to large gongs. Bells are similar to a piano in their operation and are made from either wood or metal tubes.
