Instrument Families
The four main instrument families in the orchestra.
What are the Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion?
a small, high-stringed instrument that rests on your shoulder and often plays the melody.
What is a violin?
How do string instruments like the violin and cello usually make sound?
By bowing or plucking stretched strings
The family that usually sits at the very front of the orchestra?
What is the string family
I am a brass instrument that plays the highest notes in the brass section. Who am I?
What is the trumpet
The family that usually has the MOST players in the orchestra?
What is the string family
a large brass instrument that uses a SLIDE instead of valves.
What is a Trombone
On a brass instrument, what do you do with your lips to create sound?
Buzz them into the mouthpiece
The family that usually sits directly behind the strings in the center of the orchestra?
What is the woodwind family
I am a slightly larger cousin of the violin and often play inner harmonies. Who am I
What is the viola
instruments that are made of wood or metal, and you blow air across a hole or through a reed.
What is the woodwind family?
a woodwind instrument that uses a single reed and has a warm, mellow tone
What is a Clarinet?
On a flute, how do you make the air vibrate to create sound?
Blow across a hole, like blowing across a bottle
The family that usually sits behind the woodwinds and in front of the percussion section?
What is the brass family
I am a big drum you can tune to different pitches and I often play dramatic rolls. Who am I?”
What is the timpani
instruments that are made of metal, and you buzz your lips into a mouthpiece. Which family is this?
What is the brass family
a brass instrument that is related to the tuba
What is a Euphonium
On a clarinet or saxophone, what part vibrates to make the sound?
The reed on the mouthpiece
The section that is usually found at the very back of the orchestra?
What is the percussion section
I am a keyboard instrument in which hammers hit strings when you press the keys. Who am I
What is the piano
The category the piano is sometimes grouped in because hammers strike the strings inside.
What is the percussion Family?
This low woodwind instrument uses a double reed and has a long wooden body with a deep, reedy sound.
What is a Bassoon?
On a timpani how does the player change the pitch of the drum?
By using pedals or tuning mechanisms to tighten or loosen the drum head
The person at the front of the orchestra that leads the musicians and maintains the tempo.
Who is the conductor
I am a very large string instrument that you usually play standing up or sitting on a stool, and I play very low notes. Who am I?
What is the double bass