INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORCHESTRA 1

Instruments of the Orchestra!

Can you identify the sounds of different musical instruments?

Get ready for some quizzing!!

The String Family

This is the largest family in an orchestra! If your dream is to play in an orchestra, pick up the violin!

Multiple Choice

Which string instrument has the HIGHEST pitch?

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

• Double Bass

Multiple Choice

Which string instrument has the LOWEST pitch?

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

• Double Bass

Arco

Strings can be bowed or plucked. The technique of bowing is called 'arco'. Remember this word!

Bow = Arco

Pizzicato

The proper term for plucking (using your finger rather than a bow) is pizzicato. Remember the word!

Pluck = Pizzicato

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks

The Woodwind family

The recorder is not as common in an orchestra but it's still worth knowing its existence!

Most woodwind instruments use a reed to make a sound.

(The oboe has a double reed which looks like the mouth of a duck. So the oboe actually sounds a bit like a duck!)

The oboe sounds a bit like a duck!

Listen carefully! It sounds as if you speak with a blocked nose... Do you agree?

The saxophone is also a woodwind instrument!

It looks like a brass instrument but the way it is played (with a reed) means it belongs to the woodwind family.

Multiple Choice

Listen! Which woodwind instrument is this?

• Piccolo

• Flute

• Clarinet

• Bassoon

The Brass family

Some tips: The trumpet sounds very BRIGHT. The French horn sounds mellow and gentle in comparison. The tuba is VERY low pitched.

Multiple Choice

Which brass instrument is this?

• Trumpet

• Trombone

• French Horn

• Tuba

Multiple Choice

LISTEN! Can you identify the brass instrument?

• Trumpet

• Trombone

• French Horn

• Tuba

Multiple Choice

Is this a trumpet or a trombone? Can you explain WHY you thought it was a trumpet/a trombone?

• Trumpet

• Trombone

And finally...

The Percussion family!

It features PITCHED and UNPITCHED percussion. Which of these are PITCHED?

Multiple Choice

Is this percussion instrument PITCHED or UNPITCHED?

• Pitched

• Unpitched

• I don't know :(

Multiple Choice

Is this percussion instrument PITCHED or UNPITCHED?

• Pitched

• Unpitched

• I don't know :(

Multiple Choice

The saxophone is a...

• Woodwind instrument

• Brass instrument

• Percussion instrument

• String instrument

Multiple Choice

What instrument is this?

• Violin

• Trumpet

• Flute

• Saxophone

Open Ended

Name as many instruments of the orchestra as you can! You have 3 minutes. Don't use google for this please, use your brain!

**DON'T PRESS 'ENTER' UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED TYPING ALL OF YOUR INSTRUMENTS**

Listen and watch a youth orchestra in action!

Can you identify the different instruments of the orchestra? (You can maximise the video - bottom right corner)