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The Constitution Of A Symphony Orchestra
A
full symphony orchestra usually has more than eighty to one hundred or more players. The
instruments are classified into four main groups - Wood Wind , Brass
, Percussions , and Strings. This is the order in which the instruments appear in
the full score, in which parts to be played by each instruments are written systematically, in form of staff
notation, one above the other, to provide the
Music Conductor with a complete view of the Music. The harp does not fall in any
of the classified instruments mentioned above and appears immediately above the
strings.
The
exact constitution of a symphony orchestra differs according to the music work ,
to be performed. An orchestra of about a hundred players will constitute of-
Wood wind - 3 flutes
3 oboes
3 clarinets
3 bassoons
Brass
-
4 horns [ sometimes 5,6,or 8]
3
trumpets
3
trombones
Percussions
- timpani[3 or more drums ,played by one or more
players]
Other percussions one or more players playing-bass drum, side drum,cymbals,triangle,xylophone,glockenspiel]
Harp
-
one
Strings
- 18 first violins
16 second
violins
14 violas
12 cellos
10 double bass
In
contrast each member of the wood wind and brass usually plays an individual part, though
on occasions some instruments may play the same part. Thus the chief function of the wind instruments is to provide a wide variety of tonal
colour,particularly the brass which boosts the range power at the point of
climax.
The
percussion is mainly concerned with reinforcing accents and rhythms. The harp is
mostly used to add special colour,usually in the form of glissandos and
arpeggios.
The
concert platform is the platform where the players sit in a particular arrangement. A
concert platform is shown below.
Sitting Arrangement
Musicians Playing
