MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

2º ESO
 STRING INSTRUMENTS
These instruments produce sound by vibrating stretched strings, amplified by a resonance chamber.
There are three categories of string instruments, depending on how their sound is made: bowed string, plucked
string and struck string.
BOWED STRING

Sound is created by rubbing a bow across

the strings. In order of pitch from high to
low are the violin, viola, cello and double
bass.
Plucked string

Sound is made by touching the strings

with the fingertips or a plectrum.
 Sound is obtained by hitting the strings, such as
in a piano When the keys are struck, hammers hit
Struck string the strings inside the resonance chamber.
Wind instruments

Wind instruments produce sound by the vibration of air inside the tube of the instrument.
They are classified as woodwind and brass. However, some woodwind instruments are
actually made of metal, such as the transverse flute and the saxophone. The aspect that has
most influence on the sound is the type of mouthpiece or embouchure it has.

Another example of a wind instrument is the organ. It has a keyboard and, though not part of
an orchestra, played a key role in church music through the centuries.
WOODWIND
Woodwind instruments are divided into three groups, according to the type of mouthpiece they have
Brass

Brass instruments are made of metal alloys. The instruments’ tubing is folded and coiled around itself to make
it more convenient to hold. The tuba, for example, would measure 3.65 m in length if it were unrolled.

The pitch of the sound is determined by the pressure of the air exerted by the musician on the mouthpiece, as
well as by its system of valves and pistons. Note that the trombone uses a movable slide rather than valves.
Brass
 The organ is a wind instrument consisting of a keyboard and a system of
tubes that vary in length. Originally, air was supplied by bellows that

THE ORGAN were moved by hand. However, these have been replaced by an electric
pump. The organ has a broad range of timbres.

The pipe organ has two or more

keyboards, as well as pedals that
can produce lower-pitch sounds.
Percussion instruments

Percussion instruments produce sound when they are hit (a drum), clashed together (cymbals), shaken (the
maracas) or scraped (güiro). They are divided into two groups:
Pitched percussion instruments

These produce notes with an identifiable pitch. Examples include the timpani (Figure 5.15), xylophone, chimes,
tubular bells (Figure 5.16), and marimba (Figure 5.17).
Unpitched percussion instruments

These produce sounds in an indefinite pitch. Examples include the bass drum, snare drum, cymbals
–in other words, instruments that feature in brass bands and symphony orchestras. Other styles of
music, such as Latin music, generally use instruments such as the bongos, maracas and claves.
The symphony orchestra

A symphony orchestra contains the largest number of instrumentalists. Originally consisting only of strings, along with a few woodwind and
brass instruments, it gradually expanded to embrace more instruments, including a percussion section.
The way that instruments are placed on the stage is intended to help obtain the best balance of timbre and sound. Instruments are grouped
by family, with the more powerful ones situated further away from the public. It is also necessary to create a contrast between high-pitched
instruments (on the left) and low-pitched ones (on the right).
The instruments that make up an orchestra are:
Strings: violin, viola, cello and double bass. Others that may feature as solo instruments are the piano, harp or guitar.
Woodwind: the transverse flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.
Brass: the trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba.
Percussion: the kettledrum, xylophone, tubular bells, bass drum and cymbals..
The orchestra conductor
The role of an orchestra conductor is to coordinate and direct the instruments. At all times, he or she must be mindful of how
the score should sound and ensure that the orchestra is consistent with this.
Conductors should possess a broad understanding of musical culture. They also need to understand the technical and
expressive capabilities of each instrument. Ultimately, they must oversee the pitch, cue relevant instruments, manage the
tempo and set the expressive character of the music. They hold the baton in their right hand and, with their left, give
instructions on how to interpret and perform the score.
The list of illustrious orchestra conductors includes Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim
and Gustavo Dudamel. Leading examples in Spain include Jesús López Cobos and Josep Pons. However, a new generation has
emerged, led by conductors such as Gustavo Gimeno, Pedro Halffter, Pablo Heras-Casado, Inma Shara and Guillermo García
Calvo.
THE ORCHESTRA