In order to identify musical instruments found in what is typically considered classical music, you don't have to look further than performances by symphony orchestras. The main categories of musical instruments include percussion, woodwinds, brass and stringed instruments. However, the original performance of music considered classical may have included somewhat different instruments than those played today in the same categories.
* A percussion instrument is best defined as one in which a resonating surface is struck by the player or by a stick wielded by the player. Percussion instruments can be either tuned, such as the marimba, kettle drum, glockenspiel and sometimes the piano; or undefined pitch, such as other types of drums. triangle, cymbal or castanets. Percussion instruments are used for keeping rhythm, providing crispness to the musical piece or for special effects ranging from cannon rounds to wind chimes.
* Woodwinds are usually made of a tube of various lengths in which the sounds are controlled by operation of metal keys that regulate the amount of air that is released through the holes. The length of the musical instrument makes the difference in the pitch that is released. The instruments that make up the woodwinds in todays orchestra are the flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon. These instruments require a reed that produces the vibration. Although included in the woodwind group, the flute is usually made of metal, silver plated or even gold in more expensive instruments. The oboe was a favorite of Johann Sebastian Bach and contains a double reed. The clarinet includes the entire saxophone family and has a single reed.
* The brass group includes such instruments as the trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba. These instruments are operated by vibrating air against the inner rim of the instrument, rather than through vibration of a reed. The highest voice is found in the trumpet with the lowest found in the tuba. The trumpet today has a series of valves that allow for changing a pitch. Relatives of the trumpet include the cornet and the bugle. The French horn is the most complex in outward appearance. It currently has a valve system, but originally relied on placement of the hands to obtain the correct pitch. The trombone is the only modern orchestra musical instrument that does not rely on keys or valves in order to obtain the correct pitch. The tuba also has a valve system and is pitched lowest of the modern orchestra instruments.
* Stringed instruments found in the performances of classical music depend heavily upon bowed instruments. These include violins, violas, cellos and double basses. Violins may be divided into two groups in order to play individual parts. The stringed instruments are usually played with a bow, but may in some instances be plucked which yields an entirely different sound.
Occasionally, baroque orchestras use older versions of some of these instruments in order to be true to the period, but the sound doesn't vary significantly. Occasionally other instruments are added in modern performances, including piano, guitar and others.
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