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.
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- [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
String instruments (1–10)
violin
When people think of orchestral instruments, many likely picture string instruments first.
Among the string instruments classified in the violin family, it produces the highest range, and its tone has become increasingly common not only in classical music but also in popular music such as rock and pop.
The elegant posture of playing with a bow, distinctive in its own right, may strike many as the very essence of classical music.
With a delicate, transparent timbre that is pleasing to the ear, it is a historic instrument admired by all.
viola
The viola is a string instrument characterized by a slightly larger size and a lower timbre than the violin.
Because its range is tuned a fifth lower than the violin, it needs to produce deeper tones and therefore has a larger, thicker build.
Its strings are longer and thicker than those of the violin, while the bow is generally a bit shorter and heavier.
There are many pieces where the viola shines—such as Brahms’s Viola Sonatas Nos.
1 and 2 and Schumann’s Märchenbilder—so if you’re interested, be sure to savor the beautiful sound of the viola!
cello
Familiar from Kenji Miyazawa’s work “Gauche the Cellist,” the cello is one of the most important instruments in classical music.
It’s an indispensable string instrument in orchestral ensembles and takes the low register in chamber groups like string quartets.
It’s also used in pop and rock, making it an instrument worth noting! Since it’s large and often played seated, it tends to catch the eye in an orchestra.
Despite its size, its delicate tone is beautiful—so be sure to listen to Pachelbel’s “Canon for Cello Quartet”!
double bass
The large string instrument, the double bass, makes a big impact in orchestras, so many of you have probably seen one.
It has four or five strings and is also called the bass.
It’s also known as the wood bass and is often used in folk and country music.
Its hallmark is a thick, low sound, and it can play pitches a full octave below the cello’s lowest note.
There are pieces where the double bass takes center stage, such as “The Elephant” from Saint-Saëns’s The Carnival of the Animals.
If you’re intrigued, why not lend an ear to its deep, resonant tone?
Woodwind instruments (1–10)
English horn
As you can hear from its tone, the English horn is an instrument very similar to the oboe.
What sets it apart is that it sounds a perfect fifth lower than the oboe and has a bulb-shaped bell.
This bulb-shaped structure produces a softer sound than the oboe.
It’s also curious that, despite resembling the oboe, it’s called the “English” horn.
Originally, because it was an angled instrument, it was called the cor anglais, and over time the word “anglais” (meaning angled) was misinterpreted as meaning English, leading to the current name.
clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind instrument many of us have been familiar with since childhood, thanks to songs like the nursery rhyme “I Broke My Clarinet.” It’s also a popular instrument in concert band.
Its defining feature is producing sound by vibrating a single reed made of bamboo, and it’s a fascinating instrument that can swiftly shift character—from low tones that create a mysterious atmosphere to thin, piercing high notes.
Besides classical music, it’s also used in jazz, so be sure to check it out.
If you’re thinking about playing the clarinet in a band, this is definitely an instrument to keep an eye on.
contrabassoon
Also known as the contrafagotto or contrabassoon, this instrument sounds one octave lower than the bassoon.
As with all wind instruments, those that produce lower pitches require a greater volume of air, which can make them more physically demanding to play.
Because of its low register, it seldom features prominent solo passages.
Developed in the mid-17th century to project a louder sound even at low pitches, it has undergone several improvements to reach its current form.
Its rich, full low tones are truly captivating.