Term 2 Music Theory: Orchestral Instruments, Duration, and Pitch Revision

The String Family

The String Family within the orchestra consists of four primary instruments, which are categorized based on their pitch range. The hierarchy from the highest-pitched instrument to the lowest-pitched instrument is as follows:

  • VIOLIN (Highest)

  • VIOLA

  • CELLO

  • DOUBLE BASS (Lowest)

Sound Source Materials

The construction of string instruments involves specific materials to generate and project sound:

  • Wooden Body: The resonance chamber that amplifies the vibration of the strings.

  • Metal Strings: The primary medium for vibration and sound production.

  • Horse-hair Bow: Used by the player to stroke the strings, causing them to vibrate.

The Woodwind Family

The Woodwind Family is organized by pitch, ranging from the highest instruments to the lowest instruments. The standard woodwind section includes:

  • FLUTE (Highest)

  • OBOE

  • CLARINET

  • BASSOON (Lowest)

Sound Source Materials and Reed Classifications

Woodwind instruments typically feature a wooden body and utilize wooden reeds for sound production. However, there are critical distinctions in how each instrument generates sound:

  • Flute: No reed is used.

  • Oboe: Uses a double-reed.

  • Clarinet: Uses a single-reed.

  • Bassoon: Uses a double-reed.

The Brass Family

The Brass Family is comprised of instruments made with a brass body, ordered here from the highest-pitched to the lowest-pitched instrument:

  • TRUMPET (Highest)

  • FRENCH HORN

  • TROMBONE

  • TUBA (Lowest)

Technical Requirements for Sound Production

To produce a high-quality sound on brass or woodwind instruments, musicians must undergo extensive practice to develop a proper embouchure.

  • Embouchure Definition: The specific shape and pressure of the musician's lips on the mouthpiece of the instrument.

The Percussion Family

The Percussion Family is divided into two distinct categories based on whether or not the instruments can produce specific musical notes:

Pitched Percussions

These instruments are capable of playing specific, identifiable pitches. Representative examples include:

  • XYLOPHONE

  • TIMPANI

  • CHIME

  • HAND BELLS

Non-pitched Percussions

These instruments are used primarily for rhythmic sound production and cannot play melodic pitches. Representative examples include:

  • BONGO

  • CYMBAL

  • TAMBOURINE

  • BASS DRUM

Musical Notation and Duration Requirements

Students are expected to master the values assigned to notes and rests. This knowledge is essential for the following practical application:

  • Barline Placement: Accuracy in placing barlines within a piece of music is entirely dependent on a student's understanding of note and rest durations.

Visual Grouping (Beaming)

In musical notation, certain notes are connected visually to indicate their rhythmic relationship:

  • Quavers: A group of quavers can be connected using a single horizontal line.

  • Semiquavers: A group of semi quavers is joined by a double horizontal line.

  • Mixed Grouping: Semiquavers are allowed to be grouped together with quavers in the same rhythmic unit.

Pitch: Clef Notes

Students are required to be proficient in reading musical pitches across two primary clefs:

  • Treble Clef Notes

  • Bass Clef Notes

Italian Terminology for Duration and Tempo

In music theory, Italian terms are used to describe the duration and relative speed of a piece. The following terms describe specific tempos and changes in tempo:

Fixed Tempo Markings

  • Presto (or Vivace): Very fast.

  • Allegro: Fast.

  • Allegretto: Moderately fast.

  • Moderato: Moderate.

  • Andante: Moderately slow.

  • Lento: Slow.

  • Largo (or Grave): Very slow.

Changes in Tempo

  • Accellerando: Indicates that the music should become gradually faster.

  • Rallentando: Indicates that the music should become gradually slower.