symphony orchestra![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group composed of numerous musicians under the direction of a conductor; it includes various categories of instruments, depending on the work to be performed.
bassoons ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Double-reed instruments consisting of a curved conical wooden tube; the double-reed is inserted into a curved mouthpiece.
tuba ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Valved instrument whose tonal range is the lowest in the brass family; it consists of a coiled conical tube and an upturned bell.
cymbals ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instrument consisting of two metal disks that are struck together.
snare drum ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Flat drum consisting of two membranes; stretched across the lower head are snares that produce a rattling sound.
gong ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instrument consisting of a large metal disk with a raised central portion that is struck using a mallet.
timpani ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instruments consisting of a parabolic copper basin covered with a stretched batter head that is struck with a mallet.
bass drum ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Large drum set on a vertical frame and struck using a pedal-controlled wooden mallet.
French horns ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Valved instruments consisting of a coiled conical tube and a flared bell.
oboes ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Double-reed instruments consisting of a conical tube with holes (some closed by keys) and a slightly flared bell.
piccolo ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Small transverse flute whose range is an octave higher than the regular transverse flute.
double basses ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Four- or five-stringed instruments played upright; the largest of the violin family, they also have the lowest range.
English horns ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Alto oboes with a pear-shaped bell.
cellos ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Four-stringed instruments placed between the legs when played; they are about twice the size of a violin and their range is one octave lower than the viola.
conductor’s podium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Small dais that the conductor stands on to direct the musicians as they play.
violas ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Four-stringed instruments similar to a violin but played a fifth lower.
second violins ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The violins that support the first violins.
first violins ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The violins that play the melody.
harps ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Plucked stringed instruments consisting of strings of unequal length attached to a triangular frame.
flutes ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instruments with a side mouthpiece and a tube containing holes, some of which are closed by keys.
clarinets ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Single-reed instruments whose cylindrical tube contains holes (some closed by keys) and ends in a flared bell.
piano ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Piano whose mechanism is horizontal, allowing the pianist to better control the sound; it varies in size from 8 to 9 ft.
bass clarinet ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Clarinet with a curved tube; its range is one octave lower than the ordinary clarinet.
trumpets ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Valved instruments consisting of a curved cylindrical tube and a flared bell.
tubular bells ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Series of metal tubes arranged vertically in order of size; small hammers are used to strike the tops of the tubes.
contrabassoons ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Double-reed wind instruments consisting of several tubes; their range is one octave lower than the bassoon.
cornet ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Valved instrument consisting of a curved conical tube and a flared bell.
xylophone ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instrument consisting of wooden bars placed on top of resonators arranged in chromatic order in two rows; the bars are struck with mallets.
triangle ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instrument composed of a metal bar bent to form a triangle open at one end; the triangle is struck with a metal rod.
trombones ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instruments consisting of a curved tube with a slide that is lengthened to produce notes varying in pitch by semitones.
castanets ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Instrument composed of two shell-shaped pieces of wood held in one hand and struck together using the fingers.
violin family ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group of stringed instruments played with a bow.
percussion instruments ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group of instruments that are struck directly with the hands or with sticks, mallets, etc. to produce a sound.
brass family ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group of wind instruments made from metal and played with cup-shaped mouthpieces.
woodwind family ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group of wind instruments originally made from wood.