INSTRUMENTS

THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

STRING INSTRUMENTS

As we are studying the different sections of the orchestra, it could be very helpful to watch some videos about different string instruments:

Where are string instruments seated in the symphonic orchestra?

String seating in the orchestra

VIOLIN:

Vivaldi - Four seasons - Summer

Schindler's list main theme

VIOLA

The viola is very similar to the violin but a bit bigger.

Halvorsen - Passacaglia for viola and violin

CELLO

Yo-yo Ma performs Bach's cello Suite n. 1

A different use of the cello:

Apocalyptica - Nothing else matters

DOUBLE BASS

Double bass - Vanhal concerto in D major

Double-bass is very used in JAZZ:

All about that bass - Jazz Version

HARP

HARPSICHORD

J. S. Bach - Concerto no. 1 in D minor

HAMMERED DULCIMER

WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS

First, let's see where the woodwind instruments are located in the symphonic orchestra:

Woodwind section:

FLUTE
The flute was originally made from wood, but now it is made of metal. It is held sideways.

Flute beatbox - Peter and the wolf
Emmanuel Pahud (flute player of the Berlin Philarmonic)

PICCOLO

The piccolo is a half-sized flute. Because it is smaller, it sounds higher than the flute. The sound of the piccolo is shrill and bright.

(Piccolo player - Gudrun Hinze)

OBOE
The oboist plays an important role in the orchestra, he or she has to play an A to tune up the rest of the instruments. The oboe has a double reed. This is a piece of bamboo cane.

Ennio Morricone - The Mission OST (BSO "La Misión")
Strauss - Oboe Concerto

CLARINET

The clarinet has a single reed, which the player puts into the mouthpiece. The bass clarinet is a bigger version of the clarinet.

Benny Goodman (clarinet) - Sing sing sing
Rhapsody in blue - Clarinet solo

BASSOON

The wooden tube is four times longer than the oboe. The bassoon often plays the bass line with the cello.

J.S. Bach - Partita

Bassoon

RECORDER

Vivaldi - Concerto in G minor

recorders

SAXOPHONE

The saxophone is sometimes included in the orchestra. It is made of brass. It has a sigle reed. The sound is rich, smooth and sweet. It is very common in Jazz music.