Instrument Families of the Orchestra

chamber orchestra

a small orchestra made up only of string instruments

symphony orchestra

a large orchestra made up of all four instrument families

conductor

the person who leads and directs a musical group

Violin - String family

Viola - String family

Cello - String family

Double Bass - String family

Harp - String family

Flute - Woodwind Family

Saxophone - Woodwind family

Oboe - Woodwind family

Clarinet - Woodwind family

Bassoon - Woodwind family

French Horn - Brass family

Trumpet - Brass family

Trombone - Brass family

Tuba - Brass family

Timpani - Percussion family

Xylophone - Percussion family

Glockenspiel - Percussion family

Chimes - Percussion family

Snare Drum - Percussion family

Gong - Percussion family

Percussion Family Sound

Hit, shake, or scrape

Woodwind Family Sound

Air vibrations

Brass Family Sound

Lip Vibrations

String Family Sound

String Vibrations

orchestration

the art of arranging music for an orchestra

instrumentation

the group of instruments needed to play a piece of music

polyphony

voices played together, giving texture to the music