Timbre Basics

What is the definition of timbre?

• The unique quality of sound that an instrument makes.

• How loud or soft an instrument can play.

• How high or low an instrument can play.

• How fast or slow an instrument can play.

Does "timbre" and "tone color" mean the same thing in music?

• Yes

• No

Why is it helpful to use the word "color" when describing different instruments?

• because, like in a painting, you can blend sounds

• because some instruments sound blue or green or red

• because music is more than black or white

Why did Benjamin Britten write "The Young People's Guide to the Orchestra"?

• to help them understand the different qualities of instruments

• so he could write the same melody over and over and over again

• because he was bored and there was no TikTok back then

• to win a bet with another composer who said he couldn't do it

Which of these is NOT an orchestra family?

• trumpet family

• brass family

• percussion family

• string family