Symphonic Scenes Guidebook 2022

I n s t r u m e n t s of the Orchestra
1. STRING FAMILY | Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass
These expressive instruments have strings that stretch across the top of their curvy wooden bodies
and necks. A musician plays the instrument by drawing a bow across the strings, making them vibrate,
and thus producing a sound that is amplified by the instrument’s hollow body. The bow is usually
made of wood, and it is strung with horse hair. The pitch is changed by the musician pressing his/her
fingers on the strings.
2. WOODWIND FAMILY | Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
These instruments each have a uniquely colorful sound and were originally all made of wood, but today
they are made of wood, metal, plastic or some combination. Woodwind instruments work by blowing
air, or wind, into the instrument, which causes the air in the instrument to vibrate and make noise. The
mouthpieces for some woodwinds use a thin piece of wood called a reed, or in some instruments a
double-reed, which vibrates when blown across.
3. BRASS FAMILY | Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba
These instruments, which range from high to low in pitch, are made of brass and can play louder than any
other in the orchestra. Like woodwinds, brass players use their breath to produce sound, but instead of
blowing into a reed they vibrate their own lips by buzzing them against a metal cup-shaped mouthpiece
that amplifies the sound. Most brass instruments have valves that look like buttons attached to their
long pipes; when someone presses down on the valves, they open and close different parts of the pipe.
They change the pitch and sound by pressing different valves and buzzing their lips harder or softer.
4. PERCUSSION | Bass Drum, Cymbals,
Timpani, Xylophone, Tambourine, Triangle
Percussion instruments include any instrument
that makes a sound when it is hit, shaken, or
scraped. Some percussion instruments are
tuned and can sound different notes, like the
xylophone or timpani. Others have no definite
pitch, like the bass drum, cymbals, or castanets.
Percussion instruments help keep the rhythm, make
special sounds, and often add excitement!
5. OTHERS | Piano, Harp, Voice
Some instruments that might also be included in
the orchestra are the piano, the harpsichord, and
the harp. The piano and harp are similar in that strings
are used to make sounds. The pianist presses keys that
tap the strings, while the harpist plucks strings. The
celesta is similar in appearance to an upright piano but
uses steel plates instead of strings inside.
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