Instruments of the Orchestra

4 Families

• Strings

• Woodwinds

• Brass

• Percussion

Strings

• Strings are plucked, strummed, or bowed to produce musical sound

Strings Examples

– Violin– Viola– Cello– Bass

Woodwinds

• Air is blown across instrument to vibrate thin pieces of wood to produce a musical sound

Woodwind Examples

– Flute– Clarinet– Oboe– Saxophone– Bassoon

Brass

• Lips are buzzed through a cup shaped mouthpiece and tubing to produce a musical sound

Brass Examples

– Trumpet– French Horn– Baritone/Euphonium– Trombone– Tuba

Percussion

• Instrument is struck, shaken, or rubbed to produce a musical sound

Percussion Examples

– Snare Drum– Bass Drum– Cymbals– Xylophone

Quiz

• Identify the instruments by name

Which Instrument is this?

• A. Trumpet

• B. Xylophone

• C. Saxophone

• D. Violin

Which Instrument is this?

• A. Trumpet

• B. Xylophone

• C. Saxophone

• D. Violin

Which Instrument is this?

• A. Trumpet

• B. Xylophone

• C. Saxophone

• D. Violin

Which Instrument is this?

• A. Trumpet

• B. Xylophone

• C. Saxophone

• D. Violin

In which Family is this?

• A. Strings

• B. Woodwinds

• C. Brass

• D. Percussion

In which Family is this?

• A. Strings

• B. Woodwinds

• C. Brass

• D. Percussion

In which Family is this?

• A. Strings

• B. Woodwinds

• C. Brass

• D. Percussion

In which Family is this?

• A. Strings

• B. Woodwinds

• C. Brass

• D. Percussion