1. Musical Instruments and Ensembles
Chapter 3
Musical Instruments and Ensembles

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

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

4. Instrument Types
Strings
Keyboards
Woodwinds
Brass
Electronic
Percussion

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

6. 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.

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Instruments were originally made of wood or use reeds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

8. 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Made of metal now, these instruments were originally made of wood.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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

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

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