Instruments of the Orchestra
Are you thinking about which instrument to play in an orchestra?
There are many different instruments in an orchestra/school band and
they all play a part in the euphony it produces. There are brass instruments, woodwinds,
percussion, and in many cases, string instruments.
Are you thinking about which instrument to play in an orchestra? Are you not quite
sure which one you want to play? There are so many options! You might know the name of the instruments,
but don't you want to know more about each instrument?
Brass Instruments
One section of the band is called the brass instruments. It includes instruments
such as the trumpet, trombone, baritone, and the tuba.
The trumpet has three valves on top, which you press down to create
different sounding notes. The bell of the trumpet is where the sound comes out.
Trumpet players blow through what is called the mouthpiece, a removable
cupped-like piece, by making a buzzing sound with their lips. Most brass
instruments work the same way, making a buzzing sound through the mouthpiece.
The trombone has a slide that you can slide out away from you, and then
again towards you. Trombone players also buzz through the mouthpiece and the
sound comes out of the bell. It has a very low sounding pitch that comes out!
The tuba is the largest brass instrument in an orchestra. It also has to the lowest sound
of any brass instrument. Like the trumpet, the tuba has valves that you push down with your
fingers. Similar to other brass instruments, you blow through the mouthpiece and the
sound comes out of the massive bell.
A baritones is very similar to the tuba. It is a low sounding brass instrument with three
valves and a large bell. You vibrate your lips on the cupped mouthpiece in order for the
sound to be heard from the bell.
All brass instruments make a powerful sound. That sound is made by something called
sympathetic vibration, when the player steadily blows air through their instrument.
Although using valves or slides also changes the note slightly, a lot of the changing
in notes is done by the brass player's lip tension and air flow.
Brass instruments are often the baseline of the band.
Woodwind Instruments
Woodwind instruments are very different. There are clarinets, saxophones, flutes, piccolos,
oboes, and bassoons. Those are just a few of the many woodwinds.
Clarinet: To begin, there is an instrument called the clarinet. Clarinet players blow on the reed, a
piece of wood held on by a tool called the ligature. When a player's lips vibrate on the
reed, the sound is produced and it comes out of the bell at the bottom of the instrument.
A saxophone is similar to a clarinet, but is more widely used in bands, orchestras, and
other music arrangements. The saxophone (also called the sax) has a larger bell than a
clarinet, and is a bigger instrument in general.
The flute is held sideways, while the flute player blows across the embouchure hole,
a hole in the lip plate. The sound travels through the instrument sideways. There
are three parts to a flute: the head-joint, the body, and the foot. The sound comes
out of the end of the foot.
Piccolos are half the size of flutes, and have very similar fingerings to the standard transverse
flute. The sound that comes out of the piccolo sounds an octave higher than it actually is.
Overall, it is a woodwind very similar to the flute. Piccolo is Italian for small.
The oboe is similar to the clarinet, but the oboe has a double reed. The sound comes out by
blowing on the reed, then the sound travels through the instrument and comes out the bell.
The wooden tube (on an oboe, this is the reed) is about 65 centimeters long.
The Bassoon has an interesting shape, with a double reed. It is straight, with a piece coming
out of it, called a vocal, which is where you blow. The bell is at the top of the instrument.
Percussion Instruments
Now, for the percussion. The percussion controls the speed of the band (the tempo), so whatever
speed the percussionists are playing, the rest of the band follows them. There are so many types of
percussion instruments, like the bass drum, snare drum, bells, tambourine, cymbals, triangle,
or the timpani. They all make different sounds and are all very important for the band.
The bass drum is a big drum. In fact, it's the largest drum in the orchestra. It is played with
drum sticks, and can also be a part of a marching band. It creates a low booming sound when you hit it.
The snare drum is played with drum sticks on the drum head, and sometimes on the hoop
(also called a rim). It is used a lot in marching bands, orchestras, and concert bands.
The bells are similar to the piano, except you tap pieces of metal on the instrument with a
plastic or wooden mallet. The names of each note are usually stated on each bar of the bells.
It is similar to the piano in organization and notes.
The tambourine has a frame made of wood or plastic, and metal jingles, called zils. Usually
tambourines are round, and you play them with your hands.
The cymbals are another percussion instrument. They are two disc-like plates made of metal that
you can either hit on a drum set, or by clashing together. There are straps that you can grab
and hold on to, near the base of the cymbal, if you are using clash cymbals. Orchestral cymbals can
make breathtaking sounds, making the band sound fantastic.
A triangle is a metal bar, bent into a shape looking like a triangle. It is another percussion
instrument, and you hit the instrument with something called a wand. The triangle is held by a loop at the top.
Timpani are kettledrums often used in orchestras, and typically played in pairs.
The head (membrane) is stretched over a large copper bowl-shaped piece. You play it by using a timpani
stick or a timpani mallet to hit the head if the drum.
There are several other percussion instruments, and if you decide to play percussion in an
orchestra/school ban, you will most likely get to try several instruments, not just one.
String instruments
In some orchestras, string instruments are included. This type of instrument includes things like
the guitar, violin, cello or the bass.
The guitar is a common instrument, even outside of an orchestra. It normally has six strings which
are strummed with fingers or a pick, and the sound comes out of the sound hole. There are electric
guitars and acoustic guitars. Both make amazing sounds and each has advantages.
The violin has strings like a guitar, but you rest it under your chin and play it with a bow.
It has an upper and lower body, a neck, and a chin rest where you rest your chin! It also
includes a bridge and tuning pegs, where you can tune the violin. It has a very graceful sound.
The cello is a very big instrument with strings that you play with a bow as well. It is a
member of the violin family of musical instruments, and has tuning pegs and a bridge similar
to the violin. You must sit down to play the cello, resting the end pin (the tail spike) on the ground.
The bass is a very low sounding stringed instrument, and you play it with your fingers. It is
very large, including a stand that rests on the ground. It is similar to the cello.
Have you decided which instrument you are going to play? There are so many options,
and each one of them is a very special instrument. No matter which one you choose, it is a
good idea to play an instrument, because you will have fun exploring the world of music,
and it's great for your mind and spirit!
Music
Music Information: Learn more about music here!
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