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Guide To The Orchestra

Radio 3

Classical Music

Guide to the Orchestra

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string family

Welcome to the strings
  

There are more strings in the orchestra than all the other instruments put together, and they are very often at the heart of the music.

violinists at work

Listen to the strings

Listen   in Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
  

violin

Violin The smallest of the family also gets the best tunes.

viola

Viola The violin's bigger, deeper sister gets less of the limelight.

cello

Cello Possibly the most romantic instrument in the orchestra.

double bass

Double bass The coolest member of the family, daddy of the bass guitar.

harp

Harp More than just a heavenly sound! The harp has some great tricks up its sleeve.
  
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Woodwind
 

Brass
 
Flute
Trumpet
Oboe
French Horn
Clarinet
Trombone
Bassoon
Tuba
 
 

Strings

Percussion
Violin
Tuned
Viola
Untuned
Cello
Timpani
Double Bass
 
Harp
 

Keyboards

Conductor

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