© 2015 Emily Conroy

Orchestra- A Group of musicians (usually 50-100)

that play a variety of different instruments.

Musicians- People who play instruments in an

orchestra or who sing in a choir. If they practice
enough and get really good, sometimes they can even
make money!

Conductor- The person who shows the musicians

when to start/stop playing and how fast or slow to play
the music © 2015 Emily Conroy
The different instruments of the orchestra are grouped into
instrument families.

Instruments in an instrument family have similar traits but may

look, sound, or be played slightly different than the other
instruments in the same family.

This is similar to human families. Oftentimes, human families

have some things that are the same but others that are different.
For example, a young girl might look just like her mom but look
different than her brother. Her brother could be REALLY tall and
pale while the sister is REALLY short and tan. At the same time
though, they might have similar personalities!
© 2015 Emily Conroy
The following are links to examples of orchestras on YouTube:

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2Kky5BC9Uk

Funny computer sounds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKwx-BFO0E

John Williams conducting star wars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rQSJDLM8ZE

© 2015 Emily Conroy

Instrument

© 2015 Emily Conroy

 Strings
Instruments in the string family produce sound by the vibration of strings.
Instruments in this family include: violin, viola, cello, double bass, and harp.

Cello Violin Harp

© 2015 Emily Conroy

 Woodwind
Instruments in the woodwind family produce sound by blowing vibrating air inside a
tube. Instruments in this family include: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.

Clarinet Flute Saxophone

© 2015 Emily Conroy

 Brass
Instruments in the brass family are made out of brass. They produce sounds by buzzing
their lips into a cup-shaped mouthpiece and blowing vibrating air inside the instrument.
Instruments in this family include: trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba.

Trumpet Trombone

© 2015 Emily Conroy

 Percussion
Instruments in the percussion family produce sound by striking, rubbing, or shaking the
instrument. They keep the rhythm and beat for the orchestra. There are many
percussion instruments. Examples include: piano, xylophone, cymbals, timpani, bass
drum, snare drum, triangle, tambourine, and maracas.

Piano Timpani

© 2015 Emily Conroy

 Percussion Continued
Drums Xylophone

Tambourine Maracas Triangle

© 2015 Emily Conroy