Instruments of the Orchestra

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Content of Course

1. The Orchestra

How it changed and developed  in different periods – Baroque, Classical, etc, with CD/video illustrations (eg. Monteverdi , Bach, Haydn, Berlioz, Stravinsky). Orchestral layout. The score – how each instrument's part is written. Role of the conductor.

2. Woodwind

Principles of wind instruments. Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon. Description of playing method. Transposing instruments. Audio examples of solo/concerto music (eg. Debussy, Telemann). Instruments in orchestral context (eg. Ravel, Beethoven, Boulez). Including auxiliary instruments – Piccolo, Cor Anglais etc. Chamber music: Wind quintet. Music for woodwind in combination (eg. Messiaen, Stravinsky).

3. Brass

Principles of brass instruments. Horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba. Description of playing method. Audio examples of solo/concerto music (eg. Haydn, Handel, Wagner, Tchaikovsky), and instruments in their orchestral context (eg. Mahler, Janacek, Birtwistle).Chamber music – brass quintet. Music for combined brass instruments, and wind band (eg. Gabrieli, Holst, Messiaen).

4. Strings 

Principles of string instruments. Description of playing method. Violin, viola, cello, bass. Audio examples of solo/concerto music (eg. Bach, Paganini, Walton, Henze), and instruments in their orchestral context (eg. Britten, Beethoven, Bach). Chamber music - string quartet. String orchestra (eg. Corelli, Suk, Tchaikovsky, Ligeti).

5. Percussion

Tuned, unpitched – wood, metal, skin. Audio examples of solo/concerto music (eg. Mozart, Nielsen, Xenakis), and instruments in their orchestral context (eg. Copland, Messiaen, Ives). Other instruments: piano, organ, harp - extracts by eg. Bartok, Holst, Debussy.

6. The orchestra revisited

Further CD/video examples of orchestral music from different periods - Baroque, Classical, Romantic etc: in the light of the preceding weeks. Orchestral transcriptions of piano music (eg. Ravel, Brahms). Music by eg. Rameau, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Carter.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture format with audio/video music extracts. Time allocated for discussion and questions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Recognise the shape and sound of orchestral instruments;

• Appreciate why composers use one instrument rather than another;

• Consider how each instrument contributes to the total orchestral sound;

• Demonstrate awareness of changing musical styles throughout history, including the invention of new instruments.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended reading:

• Instruments of the Orchestra (Roy Bennett: Cambridge UP 1982)

Recommended listening:

• Britten – Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided each week.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.