The orchestra
I can identify the instruments of the orchestra and can explain how the orchestra developed through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
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- Year 10
- AQA
The orchestra
I can identify the instruments of the orchestra and can explain how the orchestra developed through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Between 1600 and 1910 the number of players and variety of instruments in the orchestra increased dramatically.
- The Baroque orchestra was mostly strings with a few woodwind or brass instruments and a harpsichord.
- The Classical orchestra was larger, with more woodwind, brass and percussion and no harpsichord.
- The huge Romantic orchestra had large woodwind, brass and percussion sections, giving composers many timbres to exploit.
- As the orchestra increased in size, woodwind, brass and percussion took on more important roles.
Keywords
Orchestra - a large ensemble that is central to the Western Classical Tradition, consisting of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments
Strings - instruments with strings that are normally played with a bow, including the violin, viola, cello and double bass
Woodwind - instruments that produce sound through blown air, including the flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon
Brass - metal instruments with valves or slides that produce sound with air, including the trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba
Percussion - instruments that produce sound by being struck or hit, including drums, cymbals, xylophones and many others
Common misconception
The orchestra has only grown through the adding of more of the same instruments.
The number of players has increased, but the variety of instruments has also increased. Many different instruments have been added to the orchestra since the 1600s, including brass, woodwind, percussion and keyboard instruments.
Equipment
Licence
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