The Amazing Instruments of the Orchestra
Explore the amazing instruments of the orchestra with musicians of the Louisville Orchestra as your guides. How do string instruments produce sound? What is so special about an oboe? From the piccolo to the tuba, we have the answers!
The Amazing VIOLA
Assistant Principal Violist Evan Vicic explains the role of the viola in the orchestra and how he uses parts of the instrument to hold, tune, and play a wide range of musical genres.
Terms introduced: Bourrée, Glissando, Melody
The Amazing CONTRABASSOON
Musician Francisco Joubert Bernard demonstrates the similarities (and differences) between the bassoon and the biggest instrument in the woodwind family, the contrabassoon.
Terms introduced: Octave, Baroque Era, Chromatic Scale
The Amazing tuba
The tuba is the lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family. Andrew Doub walks us through how he uses air and vibration to create sound in this surprising instrument.
Terms introduced: Embouchure, Trill, Range
the Amazing ENGLISH HORN
Jennifer Potochnic introduces this lesser-known member of the woodwind family, the English Horn, and demonstrates the instrument’s unique timbre.
Terms introduced: Range, Bocal, Double Reed
the Amazing harp
The Concert-Grand Pedal Harp has a unique role in the orchestra. From instrument construction to a demonstration of how the harp’s pedals can alter the pitch of a note, Rachel Miller shows us the basics of this elegant string instrument.
Terms introduced: Pitch (flat, natural, sharp), Cadenza, Character
Amazing Keyboard Percussion
Percussionist Matthew Hawkins demonstrates the differences and similarities between a variety of keyboard (or mallet) percussion instruments.
Instruments introduced: Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel
The Amazing VIOLIN
Violinist Maria Semes explores the fundamentals of music and the techniques used to change the sound of her instrument. Listen to the way different sounds can affect our emotions and response to music.
Terms introduced: Shifting, Tempo, Dynamics, Scale
The Amazing Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Clarinetist Ernest Gross playfully demonstrates the unique characteristics of the B-Flat Clarinet and its bigger, deeper cousin, the Bass Clarinet.
Terms introduced: Al Niente, Concerto, Octave
The Amazing Conductor
The conductor [cun-DUCK-tor] directs the orchestra in every way. Guiding the ensemble to play together and setting the musical mood, the conductor’s job is to lead and inspire the musicians and the audience.
Terms introduced: Ictus, Rhythm, Score, Baton
The amazing violin II
The violin [vie-uh-LIN] is important in the orchestra as the highest voice of the string family.
Terms introduced: Glissando, Trill, Vibrato, Fiddle, F-hole
The Amazing VIola II
The viola [vee-OH-luh] has a deep and soulful sound because of its size and the thickness of its strings. It provides the balanced center of the string family.
Terms introduced: Staccato, Legato, Pizzicato
The Amazing Cello
The cello [CHEL-oh] carries the lower pitches of the string family with a warm, deep sound. Their beautiful voice is often heard in sweeping, passionate melodies.
Terms introduced: Ponticello, Double-stop, Pizzicato
The Amazing Bass
The double bass [BASE] is the biggest and lowest of the string family. Their powerful low notes can rumble and roar but their top notes can dance with surprising agility.
Terms Introduced: Pizzicato, Arco, Amplification
The AMAZING Flute & Piccolo
The flute [FLOOT} is a member of the woodwind family. Together with its smaller (and higher) little sister, the piccolo [PICK-a-low], they are some of the highest-pitched instruments in the orchestra.
Terms introduced: Keys, Adagio, Octave
The Amazing Oboe
The oboe [OH-boe] is from the woodwind family and has a bright and penetrating voice. It makes sound by blowing air between two thin reeds.
Terms introduced: Double reed, Composer, Timbre, Tempo
The Amazing Bassoon
The bassoon [buh-SOON] is a member of the woodwind family with a low, dry sound that is versatile and full of character. Like the oboe, it produces sound by blowing air between two thin reeds.
Terms introduced: Pitch, Reed, Vibration, Bocal, Multiphonics
The AMAZING Horn
The horn, often called the “french horn,” is a member of the brass family bringing a mellow romantic sound to the orchestra and are well-known for their exuberant and powerful horn calls.
Terms introduced: Harmonic series, Hand-stopping, Valves, Pitch
The Amazing Trombone
The trombone [trom-BONE] is a strong and magnificent instrument of the brass family. Sometimes menacing and other times comical, the trombone has many moods.
Terms introduced: Amplification, Slides, Glissando, Vibration
THE AMAZING TIMPANI
The timpani [TIM-puh-nee] is the foundation of the percussion family. Also known as the “kettle drums” because of their shape, these drums often provide the beat for an orchestra.
Terms introduced: Mallet, Articulation, Rhythmic Pattern
Tuning The Amazing Instruments
Learn how and why the oboe sets the pitch that all the instruments match to play together in tune.
Terms introduced: Concert “A”, Timbre, Pitch
