The document summarizes the different sections and instruments that make up a modern orchestra. It describes the four main sections - woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion - and lists common instruments within each section such as flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon for woodwinds; trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba for brass; violin, viola, cello, and double bass for strings; and timpani, xylophone, tambourine, and castanets for percussion. It provides brief descriptions of how each instrument is played and its tonal qualities.

1. Musical Instruments of the Orchestra

2. What is an Orchestra ? Orchestra is an old Greek word which means ‘a dancing place’.

3. In Greece, during the 5th century B.C., orchestra was the name given to the space in front of the main acting area which was used by the chorus, who danced as well as sang, and by the instrumentalists of open air theaters.

4. Today we use the word orchestra to refer to a reasonably large collection of instruments playing together as a group. Greek Theatre

5. The orchestra has expanded gradually from early 17th century and is now a very wonderful and varied combination of instruments, which falls into four group. The Orchestra

6. Woodwind Instruments As the name ‘woodwind’ suggests, the instruments of this section of the orchestra are mostly made of wood, though flutes are now often made of metal instead.

7. In each woodwind instruments there is a series of holes bored along the length of the tube. When all the holes are covered, the instrument sounds its lowest note. But if the player uncovers the bottom hole, a higher note is sounded. Flute Oboe Clarinet Bassoon

8. Woodwind Instrument Nowadays, it is made of metal.

9. It is easy to recognize the flute among the instruments of the woodwind section, as it is held sideways rather than straight in front of the player.

10. The low notes are soft and mellow, but higher notes become brighter and more brilliant. Flute

11. Woodwind Instrument It is a double-reed instrument.

12. It has a reedy sound and can express a pastoral feeling. Oboe

13. Woodwind Instrument Of the four main woodwind instruments, the clarinet was last to join the orchestra.

14. The clarinet has a single reed -- a flat piece of cane.

15. The last part of its range has a hollow but rich sound. The middle part of the range is smooth. High up, the clarinet sounds rather sharp. Clarinet

16. Woodwind Instrument It is a double-reed instrument with a conical tube 9 feet long.

17. The low notes are very reedy. The higher notes are more flute-like and sound lovely. Bassoon

18. Brass Instruments The sounds of the brass section, like those of the woodwind, are made by blowing.

19. Brass instruments are long, hollow brass tubes blown from one end. They are curred or bent into various shapes. Trumpet French Horn Trombone Tuba

20. Brass Instrument The trumpet is the most ancient of the instruments in the brass section.

21. It is one of the most powerful and colorful musical instruments in the orchestra.

22. The tone quality is really brilliant. Trumpet

23. Brass Instrument It is a long conical tube coiled into a circular shape and ends in a large bell shape.

24. It has a beautiful mellow tone of pure and lofty character. French Horn

25. Brass Instrument The Italian name means ‘big trumpet’, and the trombone is in fact a long, folded trumpet with a more deeply cupped mouth-piece.

26. It has a rich, noble tone. Trombone