Play Various Other Woodwind Instruments example essay topic

The musicians are divided into four main groups called sections: (1) the string section, (2) the woodwind section, (3) the brass section, (4) and the percussion section. The various instruments in the string, woodwind, and brass section are pitched in different ranges, like voices in a choir. In the following discussion, the instruments in each of these sections are listed in the order from those of the highest range to those of the lowest. Some percussion instruments are also tuned to definite pitches, but most of them have an indefinite pitch.

The string section is the heart of a symphony orchestra. It has more than half of the musicians and consists of from 20 to 32 violins, 8 to 10 violas, 8 to 10 cellos, and 6 to 10 string basses. The violinists are divided into two groups of equal size. The first violins play the highest-pitched part in the string section, and the second violin play the next highest. The leading first violinist serves as concertmaster of the orchestra. the concertmaster directs the other musicians in tuning their instruments and may also be the orchestra's assistant conductor. The woodwind section consists chiefly of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons.

An orchestra has from 2 to 4 of each of these instruments. The musicians in this section also play various other woodwind instruments when a score requires them to do so. The brass section consists of 2 to 5 trumpets, 2 to 8 French horns, 2 to 4 trombones, and 1 tuba. The percussion section includes two or more timpani, or kettle drums, ; bells and cymbals; wood blocks; and bass drum, gong, snare drum, triangle, tambourine and xylophone. The conductor knows that each of these sections are crucial to the sound necessary for the score, therefore, he or she designs the seating arrangement to produce a certain blend of sounds. The basic seating arrangements are as follows: the strings form a semicircle around the conductor; the woodwind instruments are arranged in the center, with the percussion and brass sections at the rear.

The musicians have many responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are to be prepared to work hard to achieve the perfection that the conductor needs to make the score sound right, be prepared and on time to all rehearsals, to behave appropriately at a concert and rehearsals to insure that the conductor has their total attention and the musicians are focused, and, ultimately, listen to the conductor's instructions. They must remember that the conductor is the person in charge, and, although they may not always agree with the way that he or she feels about the music, they are to play their hearts out, but to play as the conductor has designated them to. They must keep up with the music to make sure that the music flows and that the harmony does not get mixed up with the melody and to insure that the music will be played as intended or as instructed by the conductor. The conductor directs the musicians by keeping time with the baton or with his or her hands, and by means of gestures and facial expression. However, the conductor do their most important work before a performance-and even before rehearsing a composition.

In most cases, the conductor selects the music to be played at a concert. After selecting a work, the conductor's first job is t interpret the music by deciding exactly how it should be played. Interpretation of a work includes such elements as tempo, tonal quality, and phrasing. After determining these features of the score, the conductor rehearses the music with the players.

During a rehearsal, the conductor asks individual musicians or sections to play various parts of the score again and again until the desired effect has been achieved. He or she strives for the correct balance among the many instruments playing at the same time and adjusts the sound to suit to acoustics of the performance hall. The finest conductors are respected not only for their musical skill but also for their ability to inspire both musicians and audiences. The conductor has the right to determine the difficulty of the music.

Usually, the difficulty is determined upon the performance of the musicians and how hard they work at the music. The music can range form simple and easy music to hard and fast music, but the musicians must be willing to work very hard to make sure that they contribute the same amount of effort if not more to achieve the great sound of music that is written in the score. Believe me that a conductor will use moderation and will not be harsh to his or her students by giving a beginning class on the first day a piece of Beethoven oran advanced orchestra simple plucking or breathing exercises, sometimes just for fun. The conductor would like to see that all of his or her pupils a remastering the music provided, and would like to see them grow musically.

But, in order to keep everything on a professional level, there must be a level of respect between the both of them, and the musician must always remember that the conductor has the right to tell you if you are able to play in the orchestra and that playing in such a high esteemed place must be respected and not abused by either of the parties included.