An orchestra is a group of musicians playing various instruments. But do not confuse it with the ensemble. This article will tell you what kinds of orchestras are. And their musical instrument compositions will also be consecrated.
Varieties of Orchestras
The orchestra differs from the ensemble in that in the first case, the same instruments are combined into groups playing in unison, that is, one common melody. And in the second case, each musician is a soloist - he plays his part. "Orchestra" is a Greek word and translates as "dance floor". It was located between the stage and the audience. On this site was a choir. Then it became like modern orchestral pits. And over time, musicians began to settle there. And the name "orchestra" went to the teams of instrumentalists.
Types of orchestras:
- Symphonic.
- String.
- Wind.
- Jazz.
- Pop.
- Orchestra of folk instruments.
- Military.
- School.
The composition of the instruments of different types of orchestra is strictly defined. Symphonic consists of a group of strings, percussion and winds. String and wind orchestras consist of instruments corresponding to their names. Jazz can have a different composition. A pop orchestra consists of wind, string, percussion, keyboard and electric musical instruments.
Varieties of choirs
The choir is a large ensemble consisting of singers. There should be at least 12 artists. In most cases, choirs perform accompanied by orchestras. The types of orchestras and choirs are different. There are several classifications. First of all, choirs are divided into types according to their composition of votes. It can be: female, male, mixed, children's, as well as boys' choirs. According to the manner of execution, they distinguish between folk and academic.
And also choirs are classified by the number of performers:
- 12-20 people - vocal-choral ensemble.
- 20-50 artists - chamber choir.
- 40-70 singers - average.
- 70-120 participants - a large choir.
- Up to 1000 artists - consolidated (from several groups).
According to their status, choirs are divided into: educational, professional, amateur, church.
Symphony Orchestra
Not all types of orchestras include stringed bow instruments. This group includes: violins, cello, violas, double basses. One of the orchestras, which includes the string-bow family, is a symphony. He will build from several different groups of musical instruments. Today, there are two types of symphony orchestras: small and large. The first of them has a classical composition: 2 flutes, the same number of bassoons, clarinets, oboes, trumpets and horns, no more than 20 strings, occasionally timpani.
A large symphony orchestra can be of any composition. It can include 60 or more stringed instruments, tubes, up to 5 trombones of different tones and 5 pipes, up to 8 horns, up to 5 flutes, as well as oboes, clarinets and bassoons. It may also include such varieties from the wind group as oboe d'amur, piccolo flute, contrabassoon, English horn, saxophones of all types. A huge number of percussion instruments can be included in it. Often a large symphony orchestra includes an organ, piano, harpsichord and harp.
Brass band
Almost all types of orchestras include a family of wind instruments. This group includes two varieties: copper and wood. Some types of orchestras consist only of wind and percussion instruments, such as wind and military. In the first variety, the main role belongs to cornets, horns of various types, tubes, baritone-euphoniums. Minor Instruments: Trombones, Trumpets, French Horns, Flutes, Saxophones, Clarinets, Oboes, Bassoons. If the brass band is large, then in it, as a rule, all the instruments increase in quantity. Very rarely harps and keyboards can be added.
The repertoire of brass bands includes:
- Marches.
- Ballroom European dances.
- Opera arias.
- Symphonies.
- Concerts
Brass bands often perform in open street venues or accompany the procession, as they sound very powerful and bright.
Orchestra of folk instruments
Their repertoire includes mainly folk compositions. What is their instrumental composition? Each nation has its own. For example, the orchestra of Russian folk instruments includes: balalaikas, harp, domra, pity, whistles, button accordions, rattles and so on.
Military band
The types of orchestras consisting of wind and percussion instruments have already been listed above. There is another variation that includes these two groups. These are military bands. They serve to voice military rituals, ceremonies, as well as to participate in concerts. Military bands come in two forms. Some consist of percussion instruments and brass instruments. They are called homogeneous. The second type is mixed military orchestras; among other things, they include a group of woodwinds.