How to Identify Orchestral Instruments

Many people love to listen to an orchestra. Sometimes they even know the composers. However, in many cases, unless you have played an instrument, you may not understand the way an orchestra is set up by instrument grouping. Examining instruments by their construction, mouthpieces and role in the orchestra can be very helpful in understanding the way that orchestral instruments mesh to make a musical presentation. Identification of orchestral instruments lets you know where to look during a concert, greatly increasing your enjoyment.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    
   French Horn

   Be aware that instruments in an orchestra are grouped by their sound and how they are played. The brass instruments can be identified by the mouthpiece, which is metal. Acquaint yourself with the names of brass instruments: trumpet, tuba, baritone, French horn and slide trombone. These instruments are prominent and are usually the most distinctly heard in an orchestral piece.

2. 
    
   Saxaphone

   Listen for quiet, mellow sounds. These fill instruments, or background instruments, are called woodwinds. The saxophone is one example of a woodwind. Acquaint yourself with the names of woodwind instruments: saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe. The mouthpiece for these instruments is, for the most part, called a reed or double reed.

3. 
    
   Timpani (Drums)

   Listen for a steady rhythm during a performance. The rhythm of an orchestra is maintained by drums. Drums are called percussion instruments. Look to the back of the orchestra to see these instruments. In an orchestra, they will look like kettles.

4. 
    
   Violin construction

   Look to the front of the orchestra and you will see several rows of stringed instruments. While the brass instruments have the loudest role with respect to the melody, violins follow this up with the melody on a more even basis. Acquaint yourself with the names of stringed instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello and harp.

5. 
    
   Trumpet

   Learn to identify orchestral instruments by sight as well as sound. For example, on a trumpet you will see a metal mouthpiece as well as a brass exterior, combined with a horn for volume.

6. 
    
   Clarinet

   Try to identify each instrument from the woodwinds section. For example, if you see an instrument with one end smaller than the trumpet and a reed mouthpiece, you're looking at a clarinet.

7. 
    
   Trombone

   Recognize the instruments in the brass section, such as the trombone. Rather than keys, it has a long slide. It is a brass instrument that you can identify by its large horn and long horizontal appearance.

8. 
    
   Harp

   Get familiar with stringed instruments, such as the harp. It is a large stringed instrument and sits to the side of the orchestra.

9. Look at pictures of orchestras as well as going to concerts. Now that you can identify key instruments, see how instruments are grouped together by construction and sound.

Tips & Warnings

• People who play solos in an orchestra often stand up.
• Orchestras can be almost any size.

Resources

• Orchestra
• Trumpet
• Musical Instruments