The Four Families of the Orchestra

Age 14 · Music

Open to everyone until Friday, October 30

To keep it, print it while it is open.

A symphony orchestra is made up of four instrument families, and each family has its own timbre, or tone colour, because of the way it makes sound. The players sit in a set pattern, with the quieter strings at the front near the conductor and the louder brass and percussion further back.

In the picture

Strings: bowed or plucked strings give a warm, singing sound, so they sit at the front
Woodwind: air blown across a hole or through a reed gives a breathy or reedy sound, in the middle
Brass: buzzing lips in a metal mouthpiece give a bright, powerful sound, near the back
Percussion: instruments that are struck, like timpani and drums, keep the rhythm at the very back

Examples

A film soundtrack where soft violins play during a sad scene and loud trumpets come in for the battle
A school concert where the drum kit is placed at the back so it does not drown out the other players

Key takeaways

Timbre is what makes a flute and a violin sound different even when they play the same note
The loudest instruments sit at the back so the whole orchestra sounds balanced