Symphony Orchestra Instrument Tips
Symphony Orchestra Instrument Tips
Symphony Orchestra Instrument Tips
Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra contains over 30 new Software Instruments featuring the sounds of the orchestra. You can use the instruments in Symphony Orchestra to add solo performances, chamber ensembles, or an entire orchestra to your songs. This document contains the following information about using the instruments included in Symphony Orchestra: Introducing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 1. Playing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 16. Placing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 19. History of the Orchestra on page 20.
Strings
Symphony Orchestra features individual string sections, a mixed string ensemble, and a concert harp. Orchestra Violin Section 1 Orchestra Violin Section 2 Orchestra Viola Section Orchestra Cello Section Orchestra String Ensemble Orchestra Harp The strings are the foundation or backbone of most symphonic music. Each string section can play its own individual part, or they can all blend together to create a unified voice. The strings are capable of a wide variety of sounds, and the string instruments included in Symphony Orchestra give you several string articulations to use in your songs, including legato, staccato, pizzicato, tremolo, and trills. For more information, see Playing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 16. Each of the instruments in the string ensemble has four strings, tuned in fifths (except for the bass, as described in the section Bass on page 4). Notes are played on the fingerboard with the players left hand while their right hand draws the bow across the strings. Orchestra Violins 1 & 2
The violin is the leader of the string ensemble, the smallest and lightest of the strings. The violin descended from earlier instruments (including the medieval fiddle and rebec) during the sixteenth century. The violin can play singing melodies, chords, or scale runs, and cover an almost limitless range of emotional expression. The open strings of the violin are tuned to the notes G3 D4 - A5 - E6.
Orchestra Viola
The viola is similar in shape to the violin but larger, producing a richer and mellower tone. The middle voice of the string ensemble, it can play either a melodic or an accompanying role. The strings are tuned a perfect fifth lower than the violin, to the notes C3 - G3 - D4 - A5. Orchestra Cello
The violoncello, known simply as the cello , is similar in general shape to the violin and viola but is much larger, and is played upright due to its greater size and weight. Its tone is thick and dark in its lowest octave, becoming rich and singing in the higher register. The open strings are tuned one octave lower than the viola, to the notes C2 - G2 - D3 - A4. Orchestra String Ensemble The Orchestra String Ensemble lets you play all the strings together as a single instrument, which lets you easily play across the entire keyboard range and can be used for sketching string parts. The different string sections are arranged across the notes of the keyboard from top to bottom.
Orchestra Harp
In addition to the bowed strings, Symphony Orchestra includes a concert harp. The characteristic sound of the harp, produced by plucking the strings, is frequently used in Romantic music for gentler moments, or to create a sense of fantasy.
Bass
Symphony Orchestra features a string bass section and a deep bass synthesizer.
Orchestra Bass Section Orchestra Deep Bass
Orchestra Bass
The bass section instrument provides the low end of the string ensemble. In Classical orchestral music, basses typically double the cellos an octave below, while in modern compositions they often play a more independent role. The strings are tuned to the notes E1 - A1 - D2 - G2. Orchestra Deep Bass The deep bass instrument is a special synthesizer similar to the one used in Hollywood film scores to add greater depth and power to full orchestral passages.
Woodwinds
Symphony Orchestra features a full set of orchestral woodwinds, including both solo and section instruments. Orchestra Piccolo Flute Orchestra Flute Orchestra Flute Section Orchestra Oboe Orchestra English Horn Orchestra Clarinet Orchestra Clarinet Section Orchestra Bassoon Each woodwind instrument has a unique sound and character, and traditionally the woodwinds are used either as solo instruments (like lead actors in front of a background, usually provided by the strings), or to strengthen the overall sound of the orchestra. You can use the woodwind instruments in Symphony Orchestra in both roles. Each instrument has both legato and staccato playing styles, and some solo instruments also include both vibrato and non-vibrato versions. For more information, see Playing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 16. Orchestra Piccolo Flute
The word piccolo means small, and the piccolo flute is a smaller relative of the flute, pitched an octave higher. Originally used in military bands, it produces a very bright sound that can easily be heard in almost any orchestral texture. Orchestra Flute
The flute is one of the oldest instruments in the history of music. The modern concert flute (also called the transverse flute) developed from earlier versions, including the fife, during the Baroque era, and has been a member of the symphony orchestra since the early Classical period. It is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece at one end while fingering the keys along the body to produce different notes. The sound is thick and breathy in its lowest register, becoming very bright in the higher octaves. Orchestra Oboe
The oboe belongs to the family of instruments known as double reeds, which also includes the English horn and bassoon. It is descended from one of the oldest known types of musical instrument, being used in Sumeria and ancient Egypt. The sound is produced by blowing air through the double reed (a reed is a thin piece of wood thats fixed at one end and can vibrate freely at the other) at the top of the instrument, while fingering notes along the body of the instrument. The tone is dry and somewhat nasal in quality, conjuring up pastoral images of a shepherds pipe. Orchestra English Horn
The English horn, which is neither English in descent or truly a horn, is a larger cousin to the oboe. It is pitched a fifth (seven semitones) lower, and produces a softer, mellower tone. It was introduced into symphonic music by Beethoven, and became a standard member of the orchestra during the Romantic period.
Orchestra Clarinet
Unlike the oboe and English horn, the clarinet has a single reed, and produces a richer, smoother tone. The tone of the clarinet varies over the wide range of the instrument, and has been used to express a wide range of emotions, from serene love to violent rage to ironic humor. The clarinet became a member of the orchestra later in the Classical era. Mozart composed a famous concerto for solo clarinet, and used the instrument prominently in several of his later symphonies. Orchestra Bassoon
The bass instrument of the woodwind family, the bassoon is a double reed, like the oboe, but is placed upright on the floor due to its larger size. The sound of the bassoon is consistent throughout the instruments range. The bassoon has a wide dynamic range, and is used for both lyric melodies and comic effects; it blends well with the French horns and is commonly used together with them.
Horns
Symphony Orchestra features a full set of orchestral brass instruments or horns , including both solo and section instruments. Orchestra French Horn Section Orchestra Trumpet Section Orchestra Trombone Section Orchestra Tuba Orchestra Brass Ensemble Like the woodwinds, orchestral brass are most often used either as solo instruments (particularly the French horns) or to add volume and power to climaxes and other full orchestral passages (sometimes called tutti , meaning all). The Symphony Orchestra brass instruments include both solo and section versions, and each instrument gives you both legato and staccato playing styles. In addition, the Orchestra French Horn Section also includes notes with crescendos, which you can use for moments of high drama. For more information, see Playing the Symphony Orchestra Instruments on page 16. Orchestra French Horn
The French horn (also called Horn in F or just Horn) is descended from the hunting horn. While earlier horns could only produce notes in one key, valves attached to the coiled tubing of the French horn enable it to produce all the notes of the chromatic scale. Horns were the earliest brass instruments to be used in symphonic music, and have been a part of the orchestra since Haydns early symphonies. Mozart wrote four concertos for horn and orchestra.
Orchestra Trumpet
The modern trumpet evolved from earlier instruments such as the natural trumpet in the early nineteenth century. After attempts were made to extend the instruments range by means of crooks and slides, valves were added, allowing the trumpet to play in any key. The trumpets cupshaped mouthpiece and cylindrical tubing give it a more brilliant tone than the French horn. Orchestra Trombone
The trombone, which descended from earlier instruments including the sackbut, is similar in construction to the trumpet but uses a slide rather than valves to produce different notes. Its tone is deeper and less brilliant-sounding. Mozart used trombones in his operas Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, and Beethoven introduced the trombone into symphonic music in his Fifth Symphony. The ability to slide from one note to another has been used by composers for both comic and frightening effects. Orchestra Tuba
The tuba is the bass member of the brass instrument family. There are several different types of tuba, including the euphonium, Sousaphone, and Wagner tuba, each with a distinctive tone. In general, tubas have a mellower, softer tone than the other horns.
Orchestra Brass Ensemble The Orchestra Brass Ensemble lets you play the all the horns together as a single instrument, which makes it easy to play across the entire range of the keyboard. The different horn sections are arranged across the notes of the keyboard from top to bottom.
Organs
Symphony Orchestra includes four pipe organs (or church organs) to use in your songs. Orchestra Baroque Organ Orchestra Cathedral Organ Orchestra Flute Organ Orchestra Wedding Organ
The organs history reaches back to the first century A.D., making it the oldest of all keyboard instruments. Unlike the piano and harpsichord, the sound of the organ is produced by pumping air through pipes of different lengths, which determine both the note and the tone color. While notes on the piano and harpsichord quickly fall away to silence, the organ is capable of sustaining notes and chords almost indefinitely. The organ can produce a variety of tones, and the four organs included in Symphony Orchestra include a special control in the Track Info window that lets you choose different organ stops. Each organ provides a unique tone color.
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The Steinway name has been associated with the finest concert pianos for over a century. The sound and action of a Steinway & Sons grand piano has made it the choice of many top classical pianists. The Orchestra Steinway Piano instrument includes a wide range of dynamic levels and lets you sustain notes by adding pedal markings using the new notation feature in GarageBand. It can be used either as a solo instrument with the orchestra, or to add its unique and recognizable tone color and texture to the overall sound. Orchestra Harpsichord
The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that predates the piano, and its dry sound is characteristic of Baroque music. Unlike the piano, in which metal strings are struck by hammers, the strings of the harpsichord are plucked by quills, giving a much lighter sound. The harpsichord was used extensively by composers such as Handel and Vivaldi, and Bach composed several concertos for the instrument.
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Tuned Percussion
Symphony Orchestra includes all the common tuned percussion instruments used in symphonic music. Orchestra Timpani Orchestra Celesta Orchestra Glockenspiel Orchestra Tubular Bells Orchestra Xylophone Orchestra Marimba Orchestra Crotales Orchestra Timpani
Timpani, also known as kettledrums , are the most frequently used percussion instrument in symphonic music. They consist of a large bowl-shaped body made of copper or brass over which a head is stretched. The head is struck with soft- or hard-tipped mallets, one held in each hand. The pitch of the timpani can be adjusted with screws around the edges of the head, and some timpani also have pedals for adjusting the pitch. In symphonic music, timpani are often used to underscore moments of climax or tension. Orchestra Celesta
The celesta looks similar to a small piano, but with steel bars instead of strings. Its sound is light and bell-like. It is often used for light or fantastic effects, and was notably used by Bartok in the Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta.
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Orchestra Glockenspiel
Glockenspiel also have bars arranged like the keys of a piano, but the instrument is smaller than either the xylophone or marimba. The bars are struck with mallets made of rubber or brass, producing a bright, penetrating tone. The glockenspiel was famously used by Tchaikovsky in the Chinese Dance of the Nutcracker ballet. Orchestra Tubular Bells
Tubular bells are easily identified as one of the tallest instruments in the orchestra. Held upright in a metal cage, the tubular bells can be six feet tall or more. They are often used to recreate the sound of church bells, as in Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture and Mahlers Second Symphony.
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Orchestra Xylophone
The xylophone has bars of wood or metal that are arranged horizontally like a piano keyboard. The bars are typically struck with hard mallets, producing a dry and woody tone which dies away quickly. In the Danse Macabre, Saint-Saens uses the brittle sound of the xylophone to suggest skeletons dancing. Orchestra Marimba
Originally coming from Africa and South America, the marimba is similar to the xylophone but has a warmer, mellower tone. It is played with rubber- or felt-tipped mallets, and is sometimes played by several players at once. Orchestra Crotales
Crotales are small paired cymbals that sound a definite pitch. They are a somewhat exotic instrument in the orchestra, used occasionally by composers such as Debussy and Ravel.
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Drum Kits
Symphony Orchestra includes an Orchestra Kit featuring a full set of orchestral percussion. The Orchestral Kit includes a wide variety of unpitched percussion sounds, with each note on the keyboard producing a different sound. In addition to all the commonly used percussion, such as bass and snare drums, cymbals, and gongs, the Orchestra Kit includes many exotic and unusual instruments, such as Taiko drums, an anvil, and a whip.
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Note range B4-C5 C#5-D#5 E5-G#5 A5-B5 C6-D#6 E6-F6 F#6-G6 G#6
Instrument Bell tree Castanets Tin toms Metal claps Tambo claps Tin kicks Small metal Orchestra hit
c0
c1
c2
c3
c4
c5
Note: On most smaller music keyboards, you can access higher and lower octaves using the keyboards octave up and octave down controls. See the instructions that came with your keyboard.
Velocity
One of the marks of a virtuoso performer is the way they use differences in attack and dynamics to add life to a performance. Many of the Symphony Orchestra instruments give you control over the attack and volume of notes using note velocity. By pressing the keys of your music keyboard softer or harder, you can hear these different variations in the notes you play.
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Expression
Symphonic music often makes use of changes in dynamics (from soft to loud and vice versa) to add feeling and drama. You can perform these changes with the string, wind, and brass instruments in Symphony Orchestra, even making a sustained (held) note louder (called crescendo) or softer (called diminuendo). To record changes in expression, use the pitch bend wheel on a keyboard controller as you play (or use the Pitchbend control in the Musical Typing window). In the editor, you can edit expression by choosing Expression from the display pop-up menu.
Pitch bend wheel (expression) Modulation wheel (articulation)
Articulation
Each orchestral instrument can produce a variety of sounds depending on how it is played. On the violins and other bowed strings, for example, notes can be played long (legato) or short (staccato), or can be plucked rather than bowed (pizzicato), each producing a unique sound. Notes can also be trilled (moving quickly between two adjacent notes) or tremolo (quickly repeating the same note). To record changes in articulation, use the mod wheel on a keyboard controller as you play (or use the Modulation control in the Musical Typing window). In the editor, you can edit expression by choosing Foot Control from the display pop-up menu. The following tables show the different articulations available for each instrument.
Strings
Instrument Orchestra Violin 1 Section Orchestra Violin 2 Section Orchestra Viola Section Orchestra Cello Section Orchestra Bass Section Articulations legato: 0-9 staccato: 10-36 tremolo: 37-63 half-step trills: 64-90 whole-step trills: 91-117 pizzicato: 118-127 Orchestra Harp single articulation
Bass
Instrument Orchestra Deep Bass Articulations single articulation
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Woodwinds
Instrument Orchestra Piccolo Flute Orchestra Flute Orchestra Flute Section Articulations legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Oboe legato, non-vibrato: 0-39 legato with vibrato: 40-87 staccato: 88-127 Orchestra English Horn legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Clarinet legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Clarinet Section legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Bassoon legato, non-vibrato: 0-39 legato with vibrato: 40-87 staccato: 88-127
Horns
Instrument Orchestra French Horn Articulations legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Fr. Horn Section legato: 0-39 staccato: 40-87 crescendo: 88-127 Orchestra Trumpet Section legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Trombone Section legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Tuba legato: 0-63 staccato: 64-127 Orchestra Brass Ensemble single articulation
Mallets
Instrument Orchestra Timpani Articulations single hit: 0-41 tremolo (quick roll): 42-85 tremolo with crescendo: 86-127 Orchestra Glockenspiel Orchestra Xylophone Orchestra Marimba single articulation single articulation single articulation
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Organs
Instrument Orchestra Baroque Organ Orchestra Church Organ Orchestra Flute Organ Orchestra Wedding Organ Articulations single articulation single articulation single articulation single articulation
Drum Kits
Instrument Orchestra Kit Articulation single articulation
Trombones 10% R
Ha rp 40 %
Oboe 15% R
En
gli 25 sh H % or R n
Basses 50% R Cellos 30% R
Violins 2 30% L
Violins 1 50% L
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