List of instruments played in an orchestra: introduced by category.
Have you ever actually gone to hear an orchestra perform?
I’m sure many people have listened to recordings, but perhaps not as many have heard a live performance in a concert hall.
That said, hasn’t everyone at least seen footage of an orchestra playing?
Rows of string and wind instruments make for an impressive sight, don’t they?
In this article, I’ll introduce all the instruments you’ll find in an orchestra.
I’ll go section by section—strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and other auxiliary instruments—so if there’s a particular instrument you’re curious about, please take your time and have a close look.
- A comprehensive list of instruments that shine in wind bands, introduced by category
- [Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- [For Instrument Beginners] Recommended Instruments for the School Concert Band: Flute, Trombone, and Trumpet Edition
- [Quartet] Masterpieces and Popular Pieces for String Quartet
- Classical Masterpieces: Recommended Works You Should Hear at Least Once
- Recommended pieces for a wind band contest
- Masterpieces of Ballet Music: Introducing Classic Favorites
- To you who are thinking about quitting the brass band club: You shouldn’t quit for reasons like these.
- Recommended Practice Pieces for Beginner Violinists
- [Fight songs and marches included] Moving songs you want to hear at the Spring High School Baseball Tournament
- A classic brass band medley
Woodwind instruments (1–10)
bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument that adds flair to the orchestra with its striking appearance and distinctive timbre.
There are two types, the French system and the German system, and its name is said to come from Old French meaning “bundle of firewood.” It has a wide range and can produce crisp tones even in the low register, giving it a sense of stability.
It’s also said to be played as if singing, and it makes its presence felt in works like Beethoven’s Symphony No.
4.
If you’re curious about the bassoon, there are pieces composed specifically for it—be sure to check them out!
Piccolo
As its name—meaning “small” in Italian—suggests, the piccolo is essentially a smaller version of the flute.
Flutists often double on the piccolo.
Because its pitch is harder to stabilize and both the embouchure hole and key spacing are narrower than on the flute, it’s often said to be more difficult to play.
Thanks to its bright, charming tone, the piccolo frequently takes solo parts in orchestral works; starting with the piece in the video, there are many compositions in which the piccolo makes a particularly strong impression.
flute
If we talk about the most glamorous instrument in the orchestra, isn’t it the flute? The silver transverse flute is elegant and a longtime object of admiration for many women, and we tend to picture many flutists as female! Originally, the term “flute” referred to a vertical flute, but in the late 17th century French aristocrats redesigned it into a transverse instrument, and it became hugely popular.
Its birdsong-like timbre is distinctive, and it’s often used in pieces related to birds, such as “The Aviary” from Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals.
These days it’s heard not only in classical music but also across genres like jazz and rock, so if you’re curious, be sure to check it out!
oboe
At a glance, the oboe looks similar to the clarinet, so those unfamiliar with them might not be able to tell them apart.
However, beyond their differences in tone color, they also differ greatly in how they produce sound.
While the clarinet uses a single reed, the oboe uses a double reed.
As the name suggests, a double reed produces sound by vibrating two reeds, giving the oboe its light, rounded timbre.
With a wide range spanning three octaves, it’s an instrument whose sound you should experience for yourself! The oboe plays a prominent role in famous works such as Beethoven’s Symphony No.
3 “Eroica” and Symphony No.
5 “Fate.” Oboe solos are particularly compelling, so if you haven’t listened to them yet, why not discover the oboe’s unique charm?
Brass instruments (1–10)
horn
The horn is thought to have originated from hunting horns.
It is characterized by a soft tone; although it’s a brass instrument, it pairs well with woodwinds.
That’s why it makes sense that the horn—despite being a brass instrument—is included in woodwind quintets.
Even among brass instruments, the trumpet and trombone have a history of use in churches, whereas the horn does not, which contributes to its image as a more down-to-earth instrument.
One secret to its gentle sound is that the bell faces backward.
If the bell faced forward, it would produce a somewhat rougher tone.
trumpet
When it comes to the trumpet, isn’t it one of the star instruments even in an orchestra? Its bright, brilliant, and beautiful tone—often used for fanfares—lifts the listener’s spirits.
It consists of a mouthpiece and a body, and sound is produced by vibrating the lips.
By pressing the button-like keys called valves, the length of the tubing is changed, which alters the pitch.
The trumpet’s predecessor had no valves and could produce only natural harmonics.
Valves were invented around 1810, making more complex performance possible.
tuba
Around 1820, a device called the valve was invented for brass instruments, which led to the creation of various new instruments.
The tuba is one of them, and unusually, its exact birth date is known: September 12, 1835.
Before the tuba existed, long and large instruments called the ophicleide and the serpent were used.
With the tuba’s invention, handling likely became much easier.
That said, since it produces the lowest notes among brass instruments, its size and weight are considerable.