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Guide To The Orchestra
untuned percussion title image Untuned percussion instruments include the bass drum, side drum, anvils, triangles and jingles. The bass drum makes a massive sound. Even when the full orchestra is playing above it, you can still feel its power. The drum is hit with a huge beater but can sometimes be played using the hand or fingers for special effect.
bass drum Listen to the Bass Drum listen Instrument Sound Listen to the dynamic range of the bass drum listen Special Effects Ruff / drum roll / thumb roll / listen Hear it in action in Verdi's Requiem Mass A percussionist has to play hundreds of instruments. Here are a few more . . . cymbals Cymbals - made from metal, these can be big, small and even tiny. bbc Hear them in Rossini's Semiramide Overture snare drum Snare Drum - the snare drum adds great power to moments of excitment. bbc Listen to the snare drum in Stravinsky's Petrushka bongos Bongos - often used in jazz, the bongos create a lively mood. bbc Listen to them in Bernstein's West Side Story tam tam Tam Tam - this is like a huge cymbal. The sound gets louder after it is hit! bbc Hear it in Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
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Alasdair Malloy Meet the Orchestra! Alasdair Malloy is the Principal Percussionist at the BBC Concert Orchestra. Read about him below. Alasdair Malloy, Percussion How old were you when you first started playing? I started the piano at five, the clarinet at nine, the bagpipes at eleven and percussion at fourteen years old. Why did you choose this instrument? I've always been fascinated by instruments in general and have tried out hundreds. Discovering percussion was, for me, like entering Aladdin's cave. Do you play any other instruments? Yes piano, clarinet, bagpipes and I am the only player of the glass harmonica in the UK and the inventor of 'The Incredible Harmonium.' What do you like most about playing in an orchestra? Is it fun? Apart from the music, which is the most brilliant thing about it, I love the friendships I've made and the humour of the orchestra. We all muck in together! Do you play any other kind of music? I've recorded and performed with artists from all kinds of musical backgrounds including Björk, Pulp, Elton John and even the Spice Girls' first ever live performance! What is your favourite music? Depends how I'm feeling. Do you have any other hobbies? I used to do all sorts of things before having children. Now all my spare time is for them. What would you have been if you weren't a musician? Looking younger and healthier! All pictures are copyrighted - picture credits 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 Get help Get help Listening About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy Explore the BBC
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