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bigorchestra.com - More than orchestra: Big Orchestra!
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A full-sized modern orchestra
consists of more than one hundred musicians usually playing eighteen to twenty-five different kinds of instruments. The instruments are divided into four groups: the strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Within these groups there are sub-groups of instruments that are also called "sections":
I. STRINGS (64-68)
1. Violins (32-34)
a. First violins (16-18)
b. Second violins (16)
2. Violas (12)
3. Cellos (12)
4. Double basses (8-10)
II. WOODWINDS (16)
1. Flutes (4)
2. Oboes (4)
3. Clarinets (4)
4. Bassoons (4)
III. BRASS (14-15)
1. French horns (5-6)
2. Trumpetsn (4)
3. Trombones (4)
4. Tuba (1)
IV. PERCUSSION (4)
1. Timpani (1)
2. Other percussion instruments (3)
Also:
Harp (1-2)
Piano (1) - occasionally
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The hierarchy inside an orchestra
Among the instrument groups and within each section of instruments there is a generally accepted hierarchy. Every instrumental section has a principal who is responsible for leading the section and playing orchestral solos. The violins are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin, each with its principal. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster - or "leader" in the UK, and is considered the leader of not only the string section, but of the entire orchestra, subordinate only to the conductor.
The principal trombone is considered the leader of the low brass section, while the principal trumpet is generally considered the leader of the entire brass section. Similar, the principal oboe is considered the leader of the woodwind section, and is the player to whom all others tune. The horn, while technically a brass instrument, often acts in the role of both woodwind and brass. Most sections also have an co-principal, or in the case of the first violins, an assistant concertmaster, to replace the principal in his or her absence.
A section string player plays unison with the rest of the section, except in the case of divided (divisi) parts, where upper and lower parts in the music are often assigned to "outside" (nearer the audience) and "inside" seated players. Where a solo part is called for in a string section, for example in the violins, the section leader invariably plays that part. All wind and brass players generally play a unique but non-solo part. Section percussionists play parts assigned to them by the principal percussionist.
The conductor of the orchestra
In modern times, the musicians are usually directed by a conductor, although early orchestras did not have one, using instead the concertmaster or the harpsichordist playing the continuo for this role.
Some modern orchestras also do without conductors, particularly smaller orchestras and those specialized in historically accurate performances of baroque music and earlier.
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