TIMBRE:

An Introduction of the Orchestra

Prayer
 OBJECTIVES
Identify visually and aurally the instrumental
sections of the Western orchestra.
Distinguish aurally each section of the
orchestra.
Describe the distinct quality of the different
instruments of the orchestra.
Play/ perform a piece with the available
musical instruments.
• Imagine a wonderful sound that the musical
instruments can create, especially when they
are played together. Small and big ensembles
of musical instruments can play harmonious
sounds.
What is Orchestra?
• Orchestra is a large group of musicians playing
different musical instruments together led by
a conductor.

• The instruments of the orchestra are divided

into four sections which produces
interweaving sounds.
• The instruments of the orchestra are grouped
according to the timbre, the materials used,
and how they are being played.

• The four sections of the orchestra are strings,

woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
A. STRING SECTION
• The string section is the most important
section in the orchestra.
• The instruments in this section are the most
versatile and flexible because they show great
range of expression.
• This section is the largest family of
instruments in the orchestra and is played by
bowing or plucking the instruments to
produce sounds.
 B. WOODWIND SECTION
• The woodwind section was originally made of
wooden materials, now metal is used.
• These instruments add color to the sound of
the strings and play the melody in some parts
of the composition.
• Sound is produced by blowing the mouthpiece
of the instrument using either a single or a
double reed.
 C. BRASS SECTION
• The Brass section is important in producing
loud and exciting sounds of the orchestra.
• This section called brass because the materials
used are made of brass.
• The instruments produce sounds by buzzing
the player’s lips against the mouthpiece.
 D. PERCUSSION SECTION
• Percussion section acts as the rhythmic
section of the orchestra.
• It makes special sounds and adds excitement
and color.
• The instruments in this section are shaken,
scraped, or hit.
Listening activity… ABC
• Instruments have assigned sections when
played in the orchestra. The orchestra is led by
a conductor who directs musicians and keeps
them together in playing the music.
Here is the orchestral arrangement of the
different family of instruments.
 10 BENEFITS OF
PLAYING MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
 Increases Memory Skills
• Learning an instrument teaches a child how to
create, store and retrieve memories more
effectively.
 Teaches Perseverance and Creates a
Sense of Achievement
• Learning to play an instrument takes a lot of
time, patience and practice. During music
lessons and music therapy, a teacher or
therapist will set short term and long term
goals. As the child reaches their goals, they
will feel a sense of achievement and pride.
 Improves Coordination
• Playing an instrument requires the brain to
work at advanced speeds. Reading music is
converted in the brain to the physical motion
of playing the instrument, and as a result
those who play instruments have improved
hand eye coordination over those who do not
 Improves Math Skills
• Playing an instrument may seem like a
creative act, but there are many parallels to
math. Music and math are highly intertwined.
By understanding beat, rhythm and scales,
children are learning how to divide, create
fractions and recognize patterns.
 Improves Reading and
Comprehension Skills
• Learning and playing music requires constant
reading and understanding. Children and
teens need to identify a note on the page and
recognize which note (pitch) to play on their
instrument, how long to hold it, what finger to
use and how loudly to play it. Learning to read
and comprehend music can even help in
reading and understanding literature in school
classes.
 Creates Responsibility
• Most instruments require some kind of
maintenance or upkeep. This can be anything
from oiling to tuning to cleaning. Encouraging
children to stay on top of regular instrument
maintenance creates a level of responsibility
for them. When they are responsible for
something they are more likely to take care of
it themselves without a parent having to
remind them.
 Exposes the Student to Culture and
History
• Music is most often a reflection of the culture
and era it was composed in. Exposing a child
to multiple types of musical genres (for
example classical, contemporary, rock, jazz,
blues, folk or medieval) will allow them to
have a glimpse into the past. Understanding
the origins of music, can give children a
deeper understanding of what they are
playing and they may become more attached
to it.
 Nurtures Self-Expressions
• One of the amazing benefits of music is the
ability for children to express themselves. By
learning how to express themselves and their
complex feelings through music, they are able
to find a way to show or play what they are
feeling.
 Improves Listening Skills
• Playing an instrument requires children to
listen carefully to an array of different things.
They not only need to listen to instructions
from their teacher or music therapist, they
need to listen for rhythm, pitch and speed.
 Improves Social Skills

• When engaged in a group setting, this requires

children to work together to collaborate on a
specific sound or song. Interacting with other
kids will give them an opportunity to make
friends and relate to classmates.