Musical Instruments and Ensembles Chapter 3 Musical Instruments and Ensembles

Voice Types High Middle Low Soprano (female) Tenor (male) Mezzo Soprano (female) Baritone (male) Low Alto (female) Bass (male)

Choir Combinations SA Choir SATB Choir Soprano Alto Soprano, Alto Tenor, Bass SATB Choir

Instrument Types Strings Keyboards Woodwinds Brass Electronic Percussion

Stringed Instruments Players pluck (pizzicato) or bow strings. Strings can be made of gut, metal, plastic, nylon, or silk.

Bowed Stringed Instruments The violin and the viola are held under the player’s chin. Violin – highest range Viola – lower range than violin Cello – deeper and lower than viola Double Bass – lowest range Players sit and hold the cello between their knees. Bass players sit on a stool or stand.

Woodwind Instruments Instruments require air Players use finger holes to control pitch Instruments were originally made of wood or use reeds Single reeds.

Woodwind Instruments Piccolo – small flute; highest pitched woodwind Made of metal now, these instruments were originally made of wood. Piccolo – small flute; highest pitched woodwind Flute – a side blown woodwind

Single Reed Woodwinds Saxophone – used in bands and jazz music The reed is on the mouthpiece and players blow into the end of instruments. Clarinet – held in front of the player Saxophone – used in bands and jazz music

Double Reed Woodwinds Bassoon – larger and lower than oboe Double reeds are two pieces of thin cane that vibrate against the player’s lips. Oboe – provides orchestra’s tuning note Bassoon – larger and lower than oboe

Brass Instruments Instruments require air; players buzz lips against metal mouthpiece Some early instruments were made of wood and covered in leather, but modern instruments are metal Brass mouthpiece

Brass Instruments Trombone – uses slide to change pitch The trumpet and the French horn use valves to change pitch. Trumpet – highest range French horn– lower range than trumpet Trombone – uses slide to change pitch Tuba– lowest range; uses valves Listen to the trombone and tuba

Percussion Instruments Instruments are struck, shaken, or scraped Xylophone Triangle Snare drum Timpani

Percussion Instruments Definite pitch instruments produce sounds that provide specific pitches like brass, woodwind, and strings instruments Listen to the xylophone Indefinite pitch instruments produce sounds that provide specific rhythm but not specific pitches Listen to the castanets and gong

Keyboard Instruments Played with both hands Potential as solo and accompaniment Produces many notes simultaneously (can produce melody and harmony)

Keyboard Instruments Organ Piano Harpsichord Strings plucked Popular in baroque music Organ Pipe organs use air Some organs are electronic Piano Strings struck hammers Dynamic contrast possible

Electronic Instruments Modify acoustic sounds or produce sounds electronically Electric guitars and keyboards are examples

Instruments of Non-Western Cultures Chordophones – stringed instruments Aerophones – wind instruments Idiophones – instruments that are hit struck or shaken Membranophones – drums with a membrane that is struck

The Orchestra Orchestra String Brass Percussion Woodwind Began in 17th century Comprised of instruments from multiple families Keyboard instruments common in early orchestras

Listen to the full orchestra. The Orchestra Listen to the full orchestra.