 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||
| - Chordophones:
--- Cimbalon --- Piano --- Harpsichord --- Celeste - Aerophones: --- Whistles --- Sirens --- Motor Horns |
||||||||||||||||
| Chordophones | ||||||||||||||||
| Chordophones produce their sounds through the use of one or more vibrating strings. They are often classified by the relationship between the strings and the body or resonator of the instrument, and form a substantial portion of the orchestra when combined with the idiophones and membranophones. | ||||||||||||||||
| Cimbalon | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| Cimbalons are the most highly developed of ancient dulcimers. Developed for symphony use early in the 20th century in Hungary, the cimbalon is usually trapezoid-shaped, and is similar to a piano without a keyboard, with a multiple of strings for each pitch. It is laid flat and struck in various strings with a leather or wooden mallet. Modern cimbalons are equipped with foot-operated damper pedals and have a range of four octaves. | ||||||||||||||||
| Piano (pno.) | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| The piano is probably the best known musical instrument, but its use until the late nineteenth century was primarily that of a solo instrument, performing concertos or other solo works with accompaniment. Starting with late Romantic era composers like Saint-Saens, the piano was given obligato passages (for example the piano part in his Organ Symphony and Carnival of the Animals, Stravinsky's Petrushka). It has also been used as a purely orchestral by many twentieth century composers. Due to its wide range, the piano is often used to articulate passages in extreme registers, reinforce chords in its middle registers, and assist in complex accompaniments or tremolos. Back to Top. | ||||||||||||||||
| Harpsichord (hpch) | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| The harpsichord is really a plunked stringed instrument. Instead of begin struck by hammers the strings of the harpsichord are plucked by quills or leather tabs. The instrument often has double sets of strings and stops that allow it to play in octaves. The harpsichord was a mainstay of Baroque era music. Along with a violone or other bass instrument the harpsichord would realized the bass line and chord progression of Baroque pieces. In many Baroque ensembles the conductor would often play the harpsichord and lead while seated at its keyboard. Occasionally it is used in modern works. Back to Top. | ||||||||||||||||
| Celesta (cel) | ||||||||||||||||
|
The celesta is a small steel bar piano, which looks like a small upright instrument and sounds very much like the glockenspiel. The celesta produces its sound by felt hammers striking pitched steel bars which lie across a small wooden resonator box. The instrument is often given special featured parts, such as the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" in the Nutcracker and "On the Trail" in the Grand Canyon Suite.
|
 |
|||||||||||||||
| Aerophones | ||||||||||||||||
| Aerophones produce their sounds by blowing air through a tube. The sound is often influenced by a reed. Percussion aerophones are confined to whistles and mechanical devices likes sirens and motor horns. The main group of aerophones are the brass and woodwind families of instruments. | ||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||
| Whistles (wh.) | ||||||||||||||||
| Whistles of all kinds are used for various effects, especially in late twentieth-century scores. The kind of whistle required should be carefully indicated in the score: bird whistle, police whistle, slide whistle, tin whistle, train whistle. If no spedific pitches are desired, there should at least be an explanation of exactly what the whistle is to do. If there is a tune to play, it should be exactly notated. | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Police, Penny and TrainWhistles
|
||||||||||||||||
| Sirens (sir.) | ||||||||||||||||
| Many twentieth century composers have used sirens, expecially Varese, Antheil and Hindemith to paint a realistic picture of modern society. Although the siren is more of a sound effect than a musical instrument, its volume and type -- high, shrill, police, ringing -- should be designated. In a score the siren part should show its the length of the siren and its dynamic level. |  |
|||||||||||||||
| Motor Horns (m.hn.) | ||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
| Motor horns are another type of aerophone used to indicate modern life, like the taxi horns in Gershwin's "An American in Paris". These instruments should be used carefully, as they can become cliches. | ||||||||||||||||
