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| Instruments | |
 Symphony Orchestra | This is the biggest size of Orchestra (like the ones in the Albert Hall for the prom concerts). It includes all the instrument family groups (brass, woodwind, percussion, strings) |
 Orchestra | This can be any size and uses all of the families of instruments (brass, woodwind, percussion, strings). The more percussion instruments that are used the more modern the music is. Music from the Romantic Period (1900 onwards) uses a large amount of percussion instruments. |
| Chamber Orchestra | This is a smaller orchestra originally designed for performing in the home (in the 17th and 18th century!).This uses a smaller group of instruments and not much percussion (you might hear an orchestral drum - the 'timpani' being played). Strings and one or two wind and brass instruments play in a chamber orchestra, but nothing too loud! This type of ensemble was popular in the Baroque period (1600 - 1750). If you hear a harpsichord playing the music is definately Baroque. A 'piano trio' was a popular type of chamber music consisting of a piano, violin, cello (not three pianos!) Any music with a piano sound cannot be earlier than the Classical period (1750 - 1820) - it wasn't invented! |
| String orchestra | A group of string players. Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double basses. The music often has a harpsichord accompaniment. (an early keyboard instrument with a very distinctive sound). If you hear a harpsichord playing the music is definately Baroque (1600-1750) |
| Wind Band | A group of woodwind, percussion and brass instruments. No strings! |
| Military Band | Same as a Wind band but the music is used for marching to. You might hear very high woodwind sounds from the piccolo (a small flute) |
| Brass Band | No woodwind instruments just brass instruments and percussion. |
| Jazz Bands | These are quite varied ensembles with a wide range of instruments. There is no fixed set of instruments. A small jazz combo might use a trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, piano, drum kit, double bass and often plays modern jazz. A large Jazz band with several instruments is known as a Swing band or Big band.Try to listen to some music by Glenn Miller |
| Blues band | This group uses more traditional instruments - a mouth organ, guitar, piano, voice and drum kit. |
| Rock Band | This group uses pop instruments, guitars (bass, rhythm and lead), drum kit and vocals. |
| Folk Rock Band | This uses pop instruments (as above) and sometimes traditional folk instruments - flute, violin, accordian. |
| Soul Band | This uses pop instruments and a piano. Sometimes saxophones and trumpets are also used. Try to listen to some Motown music |
| Modern Pop Music | This uses Drum machines, guitars (bass, rhythm and lead) and vocals. It might use special effects, samples and a synthesizer. The use of IT in music is now very important. Try to recognise the special effects used. |