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A symphony orchestra is a collection of up to about 100
musicians who play instruments of four basic types:
Strings
Violins (smallest and highest in pitch), violas,
cellos, and double basses (largest and lowest in pitch). These players sit in a
semicircle directly in front of the conductor, and make up more than half the
orchestra.
Woodwinds
Flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, and related
instruments. These players sit a few rows back from the conductor, in the
center of the orchestra.
Brass
Trumpets, horns, trombones, tubas, and
similar instruments. These instruments are the loudest, so you'll see them at
the back of the orchestra.
Percussion
The drums, bells, and other
fascinating paraphernalia that are struck, plucked, rubbed, etc. This includes
the kettledrums, the harp, and, on occasion, the piano. Some works use lots of
different percussion; others may have a single musician playing the
kettledrums, or no percussion at all. The percussion section is also found at
the back of the orchestra.
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