The Woodwind Section
https://youtu.be/cCb0QLJ2RSY
Musical Instruments Quiz
You will already have learned about the standard orchestral instruments as part of your grade 4 ABRSM studies. On this page you can test your knowledge with a quiz! Refresh …
Instruments Transposition and Clefs
Concert pitch = non-transposed pitch String Instruments Violin: treble clef, not transposing Viola: alto clef, not transposing Cello: bass, tenor and treble clef, not transposing Double bass: bass clef, sounds …
Idiomatic Writing (Composition Grade 8)
Performance Directions The given opening of your composition will already include: Don’t forget to copy these over in exactly the same way, when you copy the first two bars on …
Instruments (ABRSM Grade 7)
Instrument Specifics In this section we’ll look at some of the instrument specific musical terminology and facts that have appeared in past papers for Grade 7. This is not an …
The Percussion
The most commonly found orchestral percussion instrument is the timpani (kettle drums). A kettle drum is tuned to a single note. Often an orchestral score will ask for two or …
The Brass
The Orchestral Brass Section In a score, horns are at the top of the brass section, followed by trumpets, trombone and tuba. Trumpets in Bb and horns in F are …
The Woodwind
Standard woodwind section (from Classical era) Extended woodwind section (from Romantic era) More Facts “a2” or “zu” means “both players” “solo” or “I” or “II” (etc.) means one player Stems …
The Strings
Standard Instruments Open String Tunings When a string player plays a note without pressing a finger down anywhere on the string, this is called an “open note”. If the player …
Instrument Ranges
Instrument Ranges for Composers You need to learn the lowest playable note on each orchestral instrument, so that you are able to write a composition which stays in range. (In …