THE ORCHESTRA
ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS
At Level One you are expected to be familiar with instruments that are commonly encountered in the orchestra, as well as common chamber music ensembles. You should be able to identify each of the sections of the orchestra, and the instruments that make up each section.
If you're really interested in finding out more about these instruments, and how to compose for them, check out the lessons under the 'Student Tasks' section of the composition standard.
INTRODUCTION TO THE ORCHESTRA
The orchestra is made up of four sections: Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion.
For this exam you should be familiar with all four sections, their sound and function in the orchestra, which instruments make up each section, and how to write for them.
THE STRING SECTION
This video provides an overview of the make-up and role of an orchestral string section. The string section is typically comprised of four instruments: The Violin, The Viola, The Cello and The Double Bass.
COMMON NAMES FOR STRING INSTRUMENTS
ENGLISH FRENCH GERMAN ITALIAN
VIOLIN VIOLON VIOLINE VIOLINO
VIOLA ALTO VIOLE VIOLA
CELLO VIOLONCELLE VIOLONCELLO VIOLONCELLO
DOUBLE BASS CONTRABASSE KONTRABASS CONTRABASSO
The String Quartet
String quartets are usually made up of two violins (written in treble clef) a viola (written in alto clef) and a Cello (Written in bass clef).
THE WOODWIND SECTION
This video provides an overview of the make-up and role of an orchestral WOODWIND section. The woodwind section is comprised of many instruments that fall into three categories:
FLUTES (Including recorder and piccolo),
SINGLE REED INSTRUMENTS (including Clarinet, Bass Clarinet and Saxophones) and
DOUBLE REED INSTRUMENTS (including Oboe, Basson and English Horn).
COMMON NAMES FOR WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS
ENGLISH FRENCH GERMAN ITALIAN
FLUTE Flute Flote Flauto
RECORDER Flute Douce Blockflote Flauto Dolce
CLARINET Clarinette Klarinette Clarinetto (pl' Clarinetti)
SAXOPHONE Saxophone Saxophon Saxofono
OBOE Hautbois Oboe Oboe (pl. Oboi)
BASSON Basson Fagott Fagotto (pl. Fagotti)
ENGLISH HORN Cor Anglais Englischhorn Corno Inglese
THE brass section
COMMON NAMES FOR BRASS INSTRUMENTS
ENGLISH FRENCH GERMAN ITALIAN
TRUMPET Trompette Trompete Tromba/ Clarino
TROMBONE Trombone Pausane Trombone
FRENCH HORN Cor (Wald)horn Corno da Caccia
TUBA Tuba Tuba Tuba
Brass instruments have been around for a LONG time, and can be found in many cultures around the world. There are lots of of brass instruments commonly used in classical music. Here are some of the ones you'll encounter most often.
380229964-Jazz-Articulations.pdfMUTES (SORDINI)
There are two common instructions regarding mutes that you'll need to know: con sordini (with mute) tells the brass player to use a mute for a passage, and senza sordini (without mute) tells the player to take the mute out. If you want to get really good at writing for brass, there are a few other instructions for mutes that we'll look at later on.
The Percussion SECTION
This video (sort of) introduces the most common types of orchestral percussion instruments, and looks at the ways in which they are recorded in the studio.
