Orchestral Instruments
 

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Harp

The instruments of the orchestra.
An orchestra is a musical group or ensemble used most often in classical music.

A full size orchestra (about 104 players) may sometimes be called a symphony orchestra. The actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance will vary according to the work being played. A chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty members, although some are much smaller than that.

The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of similar musical instruments, generally appearing in the musical score in the following order

Woodwinds: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, cor anglais, (or English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon.

Brass: 2 to 6 horns, 2 to 5 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba

Percussion: timpani, snare drum, bass drum, celesta, etc.

Strings: 1 or 2 harps, 16 to 30 (or more) violins, 8 to 12 (or more) violas, 8 to 12 (or more) cellos, 5 to 8 (or more) double basses, and piano.

Occasionally, traditional wind ensemble instruments appear, such as the saxophone and euphonium.

Questions? Contact Alison Pryce