Musical ensembles can be categorized by the number of instruments, the genre of music they play, or the sections within the group. Classical ensembles are often named after the number of players, such as duets, trios, quartets, and quintets. Larger classical ensembles include orchestras of around 90 players and string quartets of 4 players. Jazz ensembles are divided into rhythm sections and horn sections, with combos containing a rhythm section and 1-2 horns and bands including both sections. Rock bands generally contain 3-4 musicians covering voice, drums, harmony instruments, and bass.

1. Musical Ensembles
To explore the common groups of instruments
and their names

2. Group Categories
Groups are often categorized by the amount of
instruments. E.g Quintet, Quartet, Trio.
Also grouped by the genre of Music they play E.g
Orchestra, Rock Band, Jazz Band

3. Classical Music
Large Ensemble = Orchestra
In Classical Music smaller ensembles are called Chamber
Music Ensembles
They are normally grouped into categories by the number of
players
Duet,trio,quintet,sextet,septet,octet,nonet

4. Prominent Classical
Ensembles
Orchestra - 90 Players
String Quartet = 4 Players
Cello, Viola, Violin 1 and
Violin 2
Wind Quintet = 5 Players
flute, oboe, clarinet, cor
anglais, and Bassoon

6. Jazz Music
Instruments are often divided into two main sections Rhythm and
Horn and then using these sections we have two main groups the
Jazz Combo and Jazz Band
• Rhythm Section - Drums, Bass, Piano/Keyboard, Guitar
• Horn Section - Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, (Other
Woodwind instruments)
Jazz Combo - Combo = Rhythm Section + 1 or 2 Horns
Jazz Band - Jazz Band = Both the Rhythm Section and Large Horn
Section

8. Rock Music
Rock Bands
Generally contains 3-4
Different Musicians
Voice
Drums
Harmony Instruments
e.g Guitar, Keyboard
Bass