| bass1 |
the largest musical instrument with strings in the orchestra. It is played with a bow and produces low, deep tones. [1/3 definitions] |
| baton |
a thin rod or stick used by a conductor in leading an orchestra. [1/3 definitions] |
| classical |
When people talk about "classical music," they are usually talking about music that was being composed in Europe starting around the 1600s and reaching its peak in the 1800s. This music was complex and was written according to formal rules of music. Many people are still composing and playing music similar to this in Europe and around the world. This newer music is also called classical music. A lot of classical music is written for a full orchestra or for solo instruments such as piano or violin. [1/3 definitions] |
| concerto |
a piece of music for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra. |
| drummer |
A drummer is a person who plays the drums. A drummer usually plays with a band or orchestra. |
| fiddle |
A fiddle is a violin. "Fiddle" is an informal word for the violin and is not usually used when talking about a violin played in a large orchestra. In the United States, people usually play a "fiddle" in a small band in front of a somewhat small audience that might be dancing or clapping along with the music. [1/2 definitions] |
| opera1 |
a play in which all or most of the words are sung and the music is played by an orchestra. |
| orchestra |
a group of musicians who play different kinds of instruments and perform together. [3 definitions] |
| score |
The printed or written form of a musical piece is called a "score." A score shows all the parts of the music that are played by the different instruments or all the parts sung by people. A conductor of a band or orchestra always has a score of the music that the band or orchestra will play. [1/8 definitions] |
| string |
When people talk about "the strings" in an orchestra, they mean the musical instruments that have strings, or the players who play these instruments. [1/9 definitions] |
| symphony |
a musical piece for an orchestra that has three or four movements. [2 definitions] |
| symphony orchestra |
a large group of classical musicians, including string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. A symphony orchestra performs symphonies and other orchestral pieces under the direction of a conductor. |
| tempo |
Tempo is the speed at which a musical piece is played. The composer often indicates the tempo at which they want their piece of music to be played, but these instructions just give a general idea. The conductor of a band or orchestra uses these instructions but also makes the final decision. |
| trap1 |
(plural) the percussion instruments in a band or orchestra; drum set. [1/5 definitions] |
| woodwind |
(plural) the section of an orchestra or band made up of these instruments. [1/2 definitions] |