INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORCHESTRA

1
INSTRUMENTSOF THEORCHESTRA

• NATIONAL 3-5
• UNDERSTANDING MUSIC

2
Learning Outcomes

• In this unit you will
• Learn about instruments of the orchestra.
• Be able to identify individual instruments
  through listening activities.
• Learn some of the playing techniques used by
  these instruments.
• Be able to identify instrumental groups that use
  orchestral instruments.

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Instruments of the Orchestra

• How the sound is produced in the String Section
• TASK 1
• Complete the string listening task based on Danse
  Macabre by Saint-Saens.

Section Instruments
STRINGS Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Arco/ Bowing The sound is produced by drawing the bow across the strings of the violin, viola, cello or double bass
Pizzicato/ Plucking The strings are plucked with the fingers
Strumming The finger, fingers or plectrum are drawn across the strings of an instrument, most usually heard on the guitar
Pitch Bend The string is pushed upwards with the finger, bending the pitch of the note
Con sordino A small clip is placed on the bridge of the instrument to deaden the vibrations from the strings, producing a muffled sound
Glissando To slide from one note to another, often heard on the harp when the harpist sweeps their fingers over the strings
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Section Instruments
WOODWIND Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone
How the sound is produced in the Woodwind
Section TASK 2 Complete the woodwind
listening task based on Concerto for Orchestra by
Bartók.
Blowing Using breath to create vibrations in the tube of the instrument
Flutter Tonguing The player rolls an R on their breath, creating a purring sound. Most often heard on the flute
Pitch Bend Most often heard on the saxophone, the player changes the shape of their lips on the mouthpiece to bend the pitch of the note
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Section Instruments
BRASS Trumpet, (French) Horn, Trombone, Tuba

• How the sound is produced in the Brass Section
• TASK 3
• Complete the brass listening task based on Rodeo
  by Copeland.

Blowing Using breath to create vibrations in the tube of the instrument, the brass players vibrate their lips into the mouthpiece
Con sordino A mute can be placed in the bell of the instrument to create a slightly muffled sound
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Section Tuned Instruments Un-tuned Instruments
PERCUSSION Timpani, Xylophone, Glockenspiel Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Triangle, Tambourine, Guiro, Castanets

• How the sound is produced in the Percussion
  Section
• TASK 4
• Complete the percussion listening task based on
  Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by John
  Williams, using the table provided.

Striking/ Hitting Hitting an instrument with a beater, mallet or striking together
Rolls Very fast repetition of a note on a percussion instrument, e.g. snare drum or timpani

• When working out which instrument sounds higher
  or lower than another remember the pitch/sound
  rule
• The smaller the instrument, the higher the pitch.
• The bigger the instrument, the lower the pitch.

7
Instrument Groups

• As well as being used in an orchestra, many of
  the instruments we have looked at can also be
  found in other instrumental groups.
• These include

Brass Band Group made up of brass and percussion instruments
Wind Band Group made up of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.