Orchestra Flashcards
Heart of the orchestra
Strings
How are instruments classified
How they produce sound
What does the conductor have in their hand
Baton
What is the person in front of the orchestra called
Conductor
What do conductors do
Organize concerts, interpret music, communicate emotion or mood through music
Which string instrument is the smallest
Violin
What is pizzicato
Plucking strings with fingers rather than the bow
How many strings does a violin have
4
What causes the bow to grip the violin
Each string is at a different elevation
What type of pitch does a high string produce
Higher pitch
How is the viola voiced
Alto while the violin is a soprano
What is it called when to strings are played together
Double stopping
What voice is the cello
Tenor
What is called when rocking your hand back and forth when playing an instrument
Vibrato (warming of the tone)
Names for the bass
Contra bass, double bass, upright bass, acoustic bass
What is more than one cello called
Celle of cellos
The difference between cello and bass players
Cello players sit in chairs, bass players sit on high stools or stand
What is the leader of the section
Principal player
What is the first violinist called
Concert master/mistress
What three ways are string instruments played
Bowed, strung, plucked
How many strings are on the harp
47
What does maestro mean in Italian
Conductor/distinguished musician
How tall is the standard bass
4 feet
How many feet of tubing is in the contra bassoon
18 feet
Name three woodwind instruments
Flute, clarinet, saxophone
Highest pitched instrument in an orchestra
Piccolo (not standard)
Lowest pitched instrument
Tuba
Three brass instruments
Trumpet, trombone, tuba
Three pitched percussion instruments
Xylophone, marimba, timpani
What does the soft pedal do to the piano
Makes the overall volume softer
Name three non-pitched percussion instruments
Snare drum, bass drum, triangle
What is the full name for the piano
Pianoforte
What is the keyboard of an organ called
Manuals
