Instruments of

the Orchestra
(A basic guide to the 4 families of instruments along with examples of

each instrument.)

BY:

B’Angelo Cartwright
 Instrument Families

When you look at an orchestra, you will see that although the orchestra is a large ensemble of

instruments, the way these instruments are positioned to each other seems to make them look

related. As a matter of fact, the positioning of these instruments is intentional. Instruments of

the orchestra are placed together based by the common traits that they share. These traits that

different instruments share allow us to easily characterize different instruments into groups.

When identifying and labelling different instruments, we call these groups “Family of

Instruments. There are a total of 4 family of instruments. The 4 family of instruments are the

woodwind family, brass family, string family and percussion family.



Woodwind Family

The woodwind family of instruments are the smallest of all the family of instruments. The

woodwind family of instruments are known for its “airy” sound, and are more commonly

known for its’ use of reeds. The sound produced by woodwind instruments are created by the

cutting of a steady flow of air across a plain. The most common woodwind instruments are:

Piccolo: The piccolo looks like a flute, but smaller. The piccolo is known for

its extremely high register and is used in orchestras as a solo instrument or

to double the violin.

Recorder: The recorder is a common soprano instrument that isn’t commonly

used in orchestras. Outside of an ensemble, recorders are more commonly used in

schools as a starter instrument for children. Similar to a flute, the recorder doesn’t

use a reed.

Flute: a small, narrow, metal

instrument that is commonly

used as one of the higher, soprano, melodic

instruments of the woodwind family. Unlike other woodwind instruments, the flute doesn’t

use a reed.
Clarinet: the clarinet is a black, woodwind instrument

made out of wood. The clarinet was created during the

classical era to add extra flavor to the woodwind ensemble.

Oboe: A black, double reed instrument, known for its bright tone.

The oboe is black in color and has silver metal keys similar to a

clarinet.

Saxophone: The saxophone is one of the more modern instruments of

todays ensembles. Saxophones are brass in color, and have a raw, bright

sound when played; this leads most people to believe that the saxophone

is a brass instrument.
String Family

The string family of instruments are one of the largest and most common instrument families

of today. The string family is characterized by their wooden body frame along with a set of

strings used to create different pitches. String instruments are played either by plucking or

bowing. The most common string instruments in the orchestra are:

Guitar: a modern string instruments hosting 6 strings, which

are played either by plucking or strumming. Guitars are mostly

used in contemporary modern songs or alternative songs that

requires improvisation.

Bass guitar: bass guitars are electric in nature (which means they need

a source of electricity to produce sound). Bass instruments are usually

used for the formation of the foundation of

chords. The bass guitar can have 5-7

strings.

Violin: This is the smallest of the strings family and one of the eldest as well. Violins are

known for their diverse use in classical music. Violins only have 4 strings.

Viola: The viola is very similar to a violin. The only

major difference is that the viola is larger and pitched

slightly lower than the violin.

 Cello: This string instrument is one of two string instruments that can

only be played sitting down (the other is a harp). The cello is a tenor

instrument that is pitched slightly lower than the viola.

Bass (double bass): The bass is one of

the largest string instruments. The bass

sound is produced like a violin and has 4 strings as well. Apart

from classical music, the bass is most known for its use in jazz

music.

Harp: The Harp is a large string instrument that can only be played by

plucking. Because of its sound, the harp is mostly used to mimic

angelic sounds.
Brass Instruments

Brass instruments are musical instruments that require the vibration of air through a tubular

resonator to produce sound. Brass instruments are the most common musical instruments

found in modern orchestras and a characterized by their bold (sometimes bright) sound. The

majority of brass instruments use a metal mouthpiece that solely relies on the

instrumentalists lips for changes in pitch and volume. The most common brass instruments

found in the orchestra are:

Trumpet: A common lead instrument, this is one

of the higher brass instruments.

French horn: The french horn is characterized by its round shape.

Cause of its mellow sound, the french horn is used to mimic the

sounds of nature.

Trombone: Another common brass instrument, this

tenor instrument is recognized for its long slide used to

play different pitches.

Tuba: The tuba is the lowest and largest brass instrument.

Percussion instruments

Another common family of instruments in the orchestra are percussion instruments.

Percussion instruments are all instruments that produce sounds through striking. Apart from

drums, other percussion instruments are cymbals, the triangle, and wood block. Common

percussion instruments in the orchestra are:

Cymbals: large, circular, brass

cylinders that are strike together

to produce sounds.

Drum Set: A small ensemble of percussion instruments

that are all played at the same time.

Timpani: Large drums that are played by striking which can also alter

its’ pitch through the use of its pedal.

Gong: A flat, metal circular disc, suspended in air and struck with a

mallet.
CROSSWORD FUN!!!
Use the clues on the next page to answer and fill in the crossword below.
 Across
4) A small, narrow, metal instrument; most 1) Brass in color, this is one of the most
commonly used as one of the higher, soprano modern woodwind instruments.
instruments of the woodwind family. This
instrument does not use a reed.
5) The family of instruments known for its
use of reeds.
10) A small ensemble of percussion
instruments that are played simultaneously
at once.
12) All instruments that produce sounds by
striking.
13) This brass instrument is known for its
long slide used to play different pitches.
14) Large, circular brass cylinders that are
strikes together to produce sound.
15) The largest brass instrument.
16) A black woodwind instrument created
during the classical era.
17) This family of instruments requires the
vibration of air through a tubular resonator
to produce sound.
Down
2) This instrument plays the lead of the
string family; also the smallest of the string
family.
3) A mellow instrument characterized by
their round shape.
6) The most common lead brass instrument.
7) A modern string instrument hosting 6
strings which are played by plucking or
strumming.
8) One of the largest and most common
family of instruments used in the orchestra.
It can be played by plucking or strumming.
9) Electric in nature, this instrument is
known for holding the foundation of chords
(bass note).
10) The largest of the string instruments.
11) A slightly larger version of the violin.
13) Large drums that are played by striking
which can also change its pitch through the
use of its pedal.
16) From the violin family, this string
instrument can only be played sitting down.
 Fun With Instruments!!!
Can you find all the instruments? Find all the words from the word bank in the word-search.

Word Bank
DRUMSET TRUMPET GUITAR DOUBLEBASS
CLARINET FLUTE STRING PERCUSSION
VIOLIN TIMPANI TUBA BASSGUITAR
SAXOPHONE CYMBALS VIOLA TROMBONE
BRASS WOODWIND FRENCHHORN CELLO