Orchestra

Modern Orchestras

Instrumentation

I. Strings
            A.  Violins
                   1st Violins- 16 to 18 people
                   2nd Violins- 14 to 18 people
            B.  Viola
                   -read C clef
                   -8 to 12 people
            C.  Cello
                   -8 to 10 people
            D.  Bass
                   -8 people
II. Woodwinds
            A.  Piccolo- 1 person
            B.  Flutes- 2 people
            C.  Oboes- 2 people
            D.  English Horn- 1 person
            E.  Bassoon- 2 people
            F.  Contrabassoon- 1 person
            G.  Clarinets- 2 people
            H.  Bass Clarinet- 1 person
III. Brass
            A.  Trumpets- 3 people
            B.  French Horns- 4 people
            C.  Trombone- 3 people
            D.  Bass Trombone- 1 person
            E.  Tuba- 1 person
IV. Percussion
            A.  Timpani- 1 person
            B.  Harp- 2 people
            C.  Piano- 1 person
            D.  Other Percussionists- 4 people

Concert Master

 -first chair violin
 -Tunes the whole orchestra
 -Leads all strings (decides on type of bowing)
 -at first, he was the conductor, everybody listened to him

Tuning

 -Everyone tunes to Oboe because of harmonics. It is the hardest to tune.
 -Everyone tunes to "A".
 

Band- Symphonic vs. Wind Ensemble
Band

            -A Band is any collection of musicians.
            -The 2 main countries for the origin of band are USA and England.
            -Bands started in the 1900’s.
            -There are 2 Opposing Philosophies for Band:

Symphonic Band                                   Wind Ensemble
Hindsley- University of Illinois            Fennel- Eastman
 -started transcribing                                -wanted only one person
 massive Orchestra music                        on a part.
 for Band.                                                    -Had smaller bands.
 -Had huge Bands

Symphonic Band

Instrumentation

I.  Woodwinds
            A.  1 Piccolo
            B.  12 Flutes
            C.  4 Oboes
            D.  4 bassoons (contrabassoon
            E.  1 Eb Clarinet
            F.  20-25 Clarinets
            G.  2 Alto Clarinets
            H.  2-4 Bass Clarinets
            I.  1 Contra-Alto Clarinet (Eb)
            J.  1 ContraBass (Bb)
            K.  2 Alto Saxes
            L.  1 Tenor Sax
            M.  1 Bari-Sax
II.  Brass
            A.  9 Cornets
            B.  4 Trumpets
            C.  9 French Horns
            D.  10 Trombones
            E.  4 Euphoniums
            F.  6 Basses
            G.  2 String Basses
III.  Percussion
            A.  1 Timpani
            B.  2 Harps
            C.  1 Piano
            D.  4-5 Percussionists

Wind Ensemble

Instrumentation

I.  Woodwinds
            A.  1 Piccolo
            B.  2-4 Flutes
            C.  2 Oboes
            D.  2 Bassoons
            E.  1 Eb Clarinet
            F.  6-8 Clarinets
            G.  2 Bass Clarinets
            H.  1 ContraBass Clarinet
            I.  2 Alto Saxes
            J.  1 Tenor Sax
            K.  1 Bari Sax
II.  Brass
            A.  3 Cornets
            B.  2 Trumpets
            C.  4-6 French Horns
            D.  4 Trombones
            E.  2 Euphoniums
            F.  2 Basses
            G.  1 String Bass
III.  Percussion
            A.  1 Timpani
            B.  4 Percussion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Transposition & Instrument ranges
 
 

Instrument	Key	Sounds	Transposes	Range (Instrument Note)
Violin	C	Same	None
Viola	C	Same	None
Cello	C	Same	None
String Bass	C	8vb (Octave Down)	8va (Octave Up)
Piccolo	C	8va (Octave Up)	8vb (Octave Down)
Flute	C	Same	None
Oboe	C	Same	None
English Horn	F	Down P5	Up P5
Bassoon	C	Same	None
Clarinet	Bb	Down M2	Up M2
Bass Clarinet	Bb	Down M2+P8	Up M2+P8
Alto Sax	Eb	Down M6	Up M6
Tenor Sax	Bb	Down M2+P8	Up M2+P8
Bari Sax	Eb	Down M6+P8	Up M6+P8
Trumpet	Bb	Down M2	Up M2
French Horn	F	Down P5	Up P5
Trombone	C	Same	None
Euphonium	C	Same	None
Tuba	C	Same	None
Xylophone	C	8va (Octave Up)	8vb (Octave Down)
Marimba	C	Same	None
Bells	C	Same	None
Vibes	C	Same	None
Celesta	C	8va (Octave Up)	8vb (Octave Down)
Chimes	C	Same	None
Harp	C	Same	None
Timani	32 29 26 23	Same	None
Piano	C	Same	None
Voice	Soprano Alto Tenor Bass	Same	None