1. Musical Instruments

2. Instrument
Any mechanism-other than the voice that produces musical sounds
WESTERN INSTRUMENTS
String
Woodwind
Brass
Percussion
Keyboard
Electronic

3. Register
The total range in which an instrument is played

4. String Instruments
The violin, viola, cello, harp, and double bass (bass) make up an orchestra’s string section.
Violin- smallest and highest range
Double bass- biggest and lowest range
These instruments can be played with a bow or plucked with the finger.
Bow- slightly curved stick strung tightly with horsehair

5. Violin
Often used as a solo instrument

6. Viola
About 2 inches longer than the violin, thus the range is somewhat lower

7. Cello
Member of the violin family but set an octave lower. Also has an endpin to help with the weight of the instrument.

8. HARP
An ancient plucked-string instrument with a triangular shape

9. Double Bass
Very heavy tone and less agile than other string instruments. (Car)

10. Woodwind Instruments
Traditionally made from wood but now usually made from metal or some other materials.
Sound is generated by a vibrating air column in a tube
All of these instruments have holes that are opened and closed by fingers or pads.

11. Woodwind cont’d…
Flute and piccolo are played from blowing across the edge of the mouth hole
Rest of the woodwind instruments have a reed- thin piece of cane that is on the mouthpiece that vibrates by the air.
Single Reed- clarinet, saxophone
Double Reed- oboe, English Horn, bassoon

12. Woodwind Families Flute Family Piccolo Flute Clarinet Family Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Oboe Family
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon Family
Bassoon
Contrabassoon

13. Piccolo
Half the size of the flute and plays an octave higher

14. Flute
High range and extremely agile

15. Oboe

16. English Horn

17. Clarinet

18. Bass Clarinet

19. Bassoon

20. Contrabassoon

21. Saxophone

22. Brass Instruments
Powerful instruments often used at climaxes and for heroic statements
Family includes the trumpet, French Horn, trombone, and tuba.
Played by blowing into a cup or funnel shaped mouthpiece
Brass players can alter the tone by placing a mute into the bell of the horn (most common in Jazz)

23. Trumpet

24. French Horn

25. Trombone

26. Tuba

27. Percussion
Instruments that are struck by hand, with sticks, or with hammers
Used to emphasize rhythm and to heighten climaxes

28. Timpani (Kettledrums)- generally plays 2 to 4 each tuned to a different pitch

29. Metal Bars or Glockenspiel- played with 2 hammers

30. Xylophone

31. Celesta

32. Chimes

33. Snare Drum

34. Bass Drum

35. Tambourine- shake or strike with knuckles

36. Triangle

37. Cymbals

38. Gong

39. Keyboard Instruments
The piano, harpsichord, organ, and accordion are the best known
Piano has 88 keys that span more than 7 octaves
Harpsichord- replaced by the piano
Pipe Organ- many sets of pipes controlled from several keyboards and pedals
Accordion- free steel reeds controlled by a treble keyboard

40. Pipe Organ

41. HARPSICORD

42. Accordion

43. Electronic Instruments
Produce or amplify sound through electronic means
Invented in 1904, but has had a serious impact from 1950 to the present
Ex. electric piano, organ, guitar, tape studios, synthesizers, computers, and other technologies

44. Synthesizer
System of electronic components that generate, modify, and control sound