Thoughts...

The orchestra is the beginning of true musical drama. It is important to remember how orchestral music began, and who created the foundations upon which an entire musical movement would occur. Check out these Composers, and discover what they did for the the expansion of the orchestra:

• Handel: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/254169/George-Frideric-Handel/36/Music

• Beethoven: http://www.beethoven.ws/musical_style_and_innovations.html

• Mahler: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/358226/Gustav-Mahler

Orchestra Layout

This is a typical layout for an orchestra. Notice where each instrument sits, as well as the instrument families.

 

Percussion

4. Percussion

The percussion instruments are as follows:

• Timpani
• Snare Drum
• Bass Drum
• Auxilliary
• Metallophones

For more information on the Timpani, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/timpani.html#c1

For more information on the Snare Drum, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/snare.html#c1

For more information on the Bass Drum, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/bdrum.html#c1

For more information on Auxilliary instruments, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/cymbal.html#c1
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/bell.html#c1
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/tbell.html#c1

For more information on Metallophones, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/xylo.html#c1

**Feel free to research more percussion instruments

Strings

3. Strings

The string instruments are as follows:

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass

For more information on the Violin, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/violin.html#c1

For more information on the Viola, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/viola.html#c1

For more information on the Cello, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/cello.html#c1

For more information on the Double Bass, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/bass.html#c1

**If you're interested, you might want to check out your favorite rock instruments on the website!

Brass

2. Brass

The Brass instruments are as follows:

• Trumpet
• French Horn
• Trombone
• Tuba

For more information on the Trumpet, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/trumpet.html#c1

For more information on the French Horn, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/french.html#c1

For more information on the Trombone, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/trombone.html#c1

For more information on the Tuba, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/tuba.html#c1

**There are additional brass instruments that you may find interesting to read about.

Woodwinds

1. Woodwinds

The woodwind instruments are as follows:

• Flute/Piccolo
• Clarinet
• Oboe/Bassoon
• Bass Clarinet

For information on the Flute, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/flute.html#c1

For information on the Piccolo, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/piccolo.html#c1

For information on the Clarinet, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/clarinet.html#c1

For information on the Oboe, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/oboe.html#c1

For information on the Bassoon, click here:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/music/basoon.html#c1

**I would encourage you to click on the various links associated with the web page. There's great information not only on the instruments, but also the family of instrments it belongs to.

Welcome!

Here is your orchestral overview! You will learn information about every section in the orchestra, as well as orchestral layout and organization. There will be 4 major areas:

1. Woodwinds
2. Brass
3. Strings
4. Percussion

Enjoy!