12th Grade Music Literature
Mr. Welker
Orchestra Seating Chart
The String Family
Violin
 The violin is the smallest of
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the string family.
The violin was created
around 1500 in Italy.
The instrument is played
with a bow across the
strings but also can be
plucked when indicated.
Range: From G below
middle C to G four octaves
above middle C
THE VIOLIN!
Viola
 The viola was created around
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1530 to support the violin’s
higher range.
It is slightly larger than the
violin and somewhat harder to
play.
There are very few viola
players in the music business
Range: Begins at 1 octave
below middle, and goes up
three octaves and a third to E.
THE VIOLA!
Cello
 The cello was created
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originally only having 3 strings.
This string instrument is
supported by a peg that rests
on the floor.
The cello is approximately 4ft.
tall and weighs about 22 lbs.
Range: From C two octaves
below middle C to E an octave
above middle C.
THE CELLO!
Double-Bass
 This instrument is the
biggest and lowest sounding
of the string family.
 It stands around 6 ft. tall and
usually is played when
standing or sitting on a stool
 Range: Begins at the E just
below 2 octaves below
middle C, and goes up two
octaves and a third to the G
just below middle C.
 THE DOUBLE-BASS!
The Woodwind Family
Flute/Piccolo
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The flute was originally made from
bones.
It now is made from metal, even
though it is part of the woodwind
family.
This instrument is held parallel to the
ground and you blow across a hole in
the of it much like a coke bottle.
The piccolo is a smaller version of the
flute and can extend past the range of
a flute.
Range: From middle C up three
octaves. The piccolo is pitched an
octave higher.
THE FLUTE AND PICCOLO!
Clarinet
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The clarinet is the most
important of the woodwinds in
the orchestra.
It has 18 holes that help make
the pitch on this instrument.
This instrument is played with
a single wooden reed on the
mouthpiece.
Range: The clarinet range is
from E below middle C to A
three and one-half octaves
above middle C.
THE CLARINET!
Oboe
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The oboe began as a instrument used
by hunters in the mid 1600’s.
Over the past 300 years it has
become more modern and suitable
for today’s ensembles.
The oboe is a double-reed instrument
and is played by forcing air through
the reeds creating vibrations.
Range: The oboe’s range goes from
just below middle C, going up two
octaves.
THE OBOE!
Bassoon
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The bassoon is the lowest and largest of
the woodwind family.
It, like the oboe, is played with a doublereed but produces a much lower and
different sound.
When the bassoon first became known in
1650 it only had 4-8 keys.
The bassoon also has other members of it’s
family such as the contrabassoon and
double bassoon which extend the lower
register of the horn.
Range: The range for the bassoon is from
B-flat two octaves below middle C to C an
octave above middle C.
THE BASSOON!
The Brass Family
Trumpet
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Trumpets originally were used during
battles. Soldiers would use trumpet
calls to know what to do in the field of
battle.
In 1820 valves were added to the
trumpet to allow the instrument to
play more notes.
There are many different types of
trumpet but the most popular are the
ones pitched in C and Bb.
Range: From F sharp one octave below
middle C to C two octaves above
middle C.
THE TRUMPET!
French Horn
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The French horn is often considered
the leader of the brass section in
orchestras.
When it was first created it was
never played indoors because it was
considered to have to harsh of a
sound quality.
The French horn unlike the trumpet
has rotary valves.
Range: From G two octaves below
middle C to F one octave above
middle C.
THE FRENCH HORN!
Trombone
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The trombone started in medieval
times as a sackbut (smaller than
modern trombone).
It unlike all other instruments is
played with a slide rather than
keys or valves.
The trombone is a very versatile
instrument. It can be found in jazz
ensembles, concert bands, and
orchestras.
There are 3 main types of
trombones. They are the alto
trombone, tenor trombone, and
bass trombone.
Range: From E two octave below
middle C to B flat above middle C.
THE TROMBONE!
Tuba
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The tuba was created in
Germany by famous composer
Richard Wagner.
The creation of the tuba helped
to expand the lower range of the
orchestra and made it much
easier for composition.
The tuba is known as the big
boomer due to this lower register
of range.
The tuba comes in many
different keys and sizes unlike
most other instruments.
Usually in an orchestra there is
only one tuba to help out with
the double-bassists.
Range: From F two octaves
below middle C to F above
middle C.
THE TUBA!
The Percussion Family
Snare Drum
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There are two heads on a
snare drum. The bottom
head has strips of metal
under it that can be
turned off and on for
different qualities.
The snare drum is a very
important part of a
marching band, drum set,
or concert band.
THE SNARE DRUM!
Bass Drum
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The bass drum is the
lowest drum in the
percussion family.
This drum is played with
a large lamb skin mallet.
It is known for being the
heart beat and pulse of
the orchestra.
It’s main purpose is to
rhythms and keep the
time with the conductor.
Timpani
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The timpani is also known as
the kettle drum and the king
of the percussion section.
They are shaped like a big pot
and were first made for the
Hungarian Calvary.
Originally they were worn on
men riding horses and were
made out of copper soup
kettles.
The timpani unlike most
drums can be tuned to
multiple pitches by a pedal.
THE TIMPANI!
Cymbals
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Cymbals add a different color
to the percussion sound.
They are made of copper and
are either struck together or
rolled on by mallets.
The cymbal is most known for
its crash sound or its
shimmering roll
Many people consider the
cymbals and their family to be
part of a “kitchen sink.”
There are many different types
of cymbals such as the ride
cymbal, crash cymbal, and
suspended cymbal.
THE CYMBAL!
Xylophone
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The xylophone, like the timpani, is a
tuned percussion instrument.
They hold the best pitch out of all the
percussion instruments.
The xylophone is not a drum and does
not have heads but does have wood
slabs across the top that make the
pitch.
The xylophone also has another
member of its family known as the
marimba which has a more mellow
and darker sound.
THE XYLOPHONE!
Piano
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The piano is the most
complete instrument in the
orchestra.
It is considered percussion
because there is a hammer
that strikes a string to make all
the pitches.
The piano unlike most other
instruments is able to play
chords and multiple notes at a
time.
The piano has three pedals on
the bottom that have different
actions to make the piano
have many different effects.
Range: EVERYTHING!
THE PIANO!
The Orchestra
Reference
• Energy In The Air: Sounds From The
Orchestra. Feb. 1999.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/5116/>.