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The Orchestra

The Orchestra. The Orchestra. From The Greek word orkhestra , referring to the area in front of the stage in a greek theatre used for dancing and singing Later musicians played in this spot Large musical ensemble containing instruments from 4 families Strings Woodwinds Brass Percussion

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The Orchestra

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  1. The Orchestra

  2. The Orchestra • From The Greek word orkhestra, referring to the area in front of the stage in a greek theatre used for dancing and singing • Later musicians played in this spot • Large musical ensemble containing instruments from 4 families • Strings • Woodwinds • Brass • Percussion • Some orchestras have over 80 musicians!

  3. Seating

  4. Organization • Each section of the orchestra has a Principal player • The principal player is considered the strongest player in the section • The principal violinist is also called the Concertmaster • The concert master is the “second in command” of the orchestra • Leads tuning at the beginning of a concert and takes care of any technical aspects of orchestra management • The Conductor is in charge of the orchestra • Leads concerts and rehearsals • Determines Repertoire

  5. Conductor • Leads the orchestra in rehearsal and concerts

  6. Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra • Benjamin Britten • 1945 • Britten was asked by the British Ministry of Education to write a piece of music that would teach children about the instruments of the orchestra.

  7. Benjamin Britten • English • Born Nov. 22, 1913 • Started composing at the age of 5 • Wrote for all types of ensembles and solo performers- not just orchestras • Died in 1976 of heart failure

  8. YPGTTO • Different sections of the piece demonstrate the sound of each instrumental section • Each part of the piece is a Variation • A variation in music is where the melody is similar but one element of the piece is changed to make it sound different. • Brittan changes the instrumentation (the instruments used)... What other elements could we change to make a variation?

  9. YPGTTO- Listen! • Listen to the first part of the piece • This is the Full Orchestra • All sections are playing • Can you pick out individual sections?

  10. The Families • Woodwinds • Brass • Strings • Percussion

  11. Woodwinds • Partially made of Wood or were once made of Wood • Sound is created by the player blowing air into the instrument... Aka the windpart of the name • The player covers holes in the instrument to make the air travel further through the instrument and lower the pitch- similar to our recorders! • Piccolo • Flute • Clarinet • Oboe • Bassoon

  12. Listen- Woodwinds

  13. Brass • Made out of Brass or other types of metal • The player buzzes his/her lips on a mouthpiece. This causes the air in the instrument to vibrate and create sound • The player changes pitch by opening and closing valves or by changing the speed of the buzz • Trumpet • Trombone • French Horn • Tuba

  14. Listen- Brass

  15. Strings • Have 4 or more strings • Most are played by drawing a bow across the strings, by plucking the strings with your finger, or strumming across the strings. The strings then vibrate to create sound • The pitch changes when the player presses the string against the fingerboard of the instrument and” shortens” the string • Violin • Viola • Cello • Double Bass • Harp • What are some other string instruments that you can think of?

  16. Listen- Strings

  17. Percussion • Made from a wide variety of materials • Percussion instruments can be struck, shaken, or scraped • Some are pre-tuned. Some have heads that can be tightened to raise pitch • Some have no definite pitch at all!

  18. Listen- Percussion

  19. Orchestra Review • Large ensemble • Conductor • Concertmaster • Principal • 4 families of instruments

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