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Guide To The Orchestra

Radio 3

Classical Music

Guide to the Orchestra

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tuned percussion title image
 

Tuned percussion instruments include the xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, bells, crotals and many more.
The xylophone is made of bits of wood that are tuned to different notes.
The player uses sticks, or beaters, to hit the wooden bars, sometimes as many as six at a time! 

xylophone

Listen to the Xylophone

listen.gif Instrument range Hear it played from its lowest to highest note

listen.gif Special Effects
chords / doubles / glissandi

listen.gif Instrument Sound
in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess

  

A percussionist has to play hundreds of instruments. Here are a couple more:
 

marimba
 
Marimba Like the Xylophone but a lot softer and warmer sounding.

bbc Hear it in Creston's Concertino for Marimba
 

glockenspiel
 
Glockenspiel   This is made from metal bars and sounds very high.

bbc Listen to the glockenspiel in Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé
 
 

  

David Hockings
  
Meet the Orchestra!
David Hockings plays percussion with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Read about him below.
  
  
  
David Hockings, Percussionist
How old were you when you first started playing?
I was given my first real drum at four years old. I had been given a Woolworth’s kit at two.
Why did you choose this instrument?
I didn’t, it chose me.
Do you play any other instruments?
A little bit of piano.
What do you like most about playing in an orchestra?
The feeling of being one of many musicians, especially in large performances with the orchestra and choir.
Do you play any other kind of music?
Yes, a great deal of chamber music (small groups).
What is your favourite music?
Choral music from the 18th Century (Baroque).
Do you have any hobbies?
Too many to list but they include skiing and horse riding.

  
  
  
  
  
  
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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

LEARN AN INSTRUMENT
Which instrument, which age, finding teachers, buying guide and the perils of practice

 

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