Orchestral instruments Flashcards
Trumpet
Smallest of brass instruments and highest in pitch
Valves change the length of tubing which with air speed and lip buzzing change the pitch of notes
Often used in celebratory events
Horn
Brass pipe coiled around itself.
Traditionally used in hunts.
Creates a bright sound
Played by pushing valves similar to trumpet
Trombones
Like an s shape brass pipe doubled back on itself
Played using mouthpiece
Sliding the tubing up and down to reach different notes
Player rests the instrument on the left shoulder and uses the right hand to operate slide.
Oboe
Made from rosewood
It has a double reed so when player blows into it reeds vibrate
It has a range of nearly three octaves
Distinct sound, quite nasal
Bassoon
Lowest sounding woodwind instrument
Largest in size
Long tube folded back on itself
Double reed which is fitted into the mouthpiece
Flute
Long tube with holes along the top,one of which is for blowing across
Originally made from wood but now made from steel
Range from middle c up 3 octaves
Flautist
Clarinet
Versatile
Largest range of woodwind instruments
Single reed which vibrates against mouthpiece
Violin
Highest in pitch in string family
Tuned in fifths
Achieve different notes by pressing down on the finger board
Played with how
Viola
The tuned in fifths
Inner harmonies in orchestral music
Doesn’t have large range
Fifth lower than violin and uses alto clef
Harp
Ancient instrument
47 strings
Plucked with both hands
Seven pedals one for each note C,D,E,F,G,A,B
Double bass
Lowest in pitch
Standing up
Tuned in fourths
Has sloping shoulders unlike other bowed instruments have rounded shoulders
Mostly used in jazz, plucked for jazz music
Cello
Full name is violin cello
Sitting down held between knees and stands on a spike
Huge range
122cm long
Tuba
Largest of brass instruments
Played through mouthpiece
Valves change the pitch of the notes
Often used to create an oom Paa effect
