PERCUSSION FAMILY | INSTRUMENTS OF THE ORCHESTRA | LESSON #6 | LEARNING MUSIC HUB | ORCHESTRA

Summary

This video explores the percussion family of instruments in an orchestra, explaining both pitched and non-pitched instruments. It delves into the different types, including chimes, timpani, xylophones, marimbas, vibraphones, celesta, and piano, as well as untuned instruments like snare drums, bass drums, cymbals, tambourines, triangles, castanets, maracas, and gongs. Each instrument’s unique characteristics, how they are played, and their role in creating musical sound are discussed in detail, offering an engaging and informative overview for learners interested in percussion.

Takeaways

• 😀 The percussion family is divided into two categories: pitched percussion (definite pitch) and non-pitched percussion (indefinite pitch).
• 😀 Pitched percussion instruments produce distinct pitches when struck and include chimes, timpani, glockenspiel, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, celesta, and piano.
• 😀 Non-pitched percussion instruments produce sounds without a defined pitch, such as snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, tambourine, triangle, castanets, maracas, and gong.
• 😀 Chimes, or tubular bells, are struck with a hammer to produce a clear, pitched sound and can be controlled using a damper pedal.
• 😀 Timpani, or kettle drums, are played by striking the drum head with a special mallet, and their pitch is adjusted with a pedal.
• 😀 The glockenspiel is a small metal xylophone with a bright, bell-like sound, played using hard mallets.
• 😀 Xylophones have wooden bars that are struck with mallets, producing a bright tone enhanced by resonators under the bars.
• 😀 Marimbas are similar to xylophones but are larger and have softer mallets for a more rounded sound.
• 😀 The vibraphone has metal bars and resonators, with small rotating discs inside that create a vibrato effect when turned by an electric motor.
• 😀 The piano is a percussion instrument because it produces sound when hammers strike its strings, making it a unique combination of string and percussion elements.

Q & A

What are the two main categories of percussion instruments?

The two main categories of percussion instruments are pitched percussion instruments, which produce a definite pitch, and non-pitched percussion instruments, which produce an indefinite pitch.

Why are percussion instruments placed at the back of the orchestra?

Percussion instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra because they are loud by nature. This placement allows the sound to be mellowed and helps absorb some of the sound with the other orchestra members between the percussionist and the audience.

How are chimes (tubular bells) played?

Chimes are played by striking the top edge of metal tubes with a hammer. The player can control the length of the sound with a damper pedal.

What is the role of a tympanist in an orchestra?

A tympanist plays the timpani by striking the drum head with special mallets. They also use techniques like muffling to control the duration of the sound and adjust the pitch using the drum's paddle.

What makes the sound of a vibraphone unique?

The vibraphone produces a unique sound because it has both metal bars and resonators with rotating discs inside, which are powered by an electric motor. These rotating fans create a vibrato effect, adding richness to the tone.

What is the primary difference between a marimba and a xylophone?

The marimba is a larger version of the xylophone, with softer mallets used to produce a more mellow, rounded sound. The xylophone, on the other hand, uses harder mallets and has a brighter, more bell-like tone.

How is a snare drum played in an orchestra?

A snare drum is played by striking the top drum head with sticks, mallets, or brushes. It is used primarily for rhythm and to create special effects like drum rolls.

What distinguishes a bass drum from other percussion instruments?

The bass drum is the largest member of the percussion family and produces the lowest sounds. It is played with soft mallets and can produce a wide range of sounds, from loud roars to soft whispers.

What are castanets, and how are they used in orchestral music?

Castanets are wooden instruments from Spain that create a distinctive clicking sound. They are often mounted on a piece of wood and are played by clicking the two wooden pieces together, adding rhythmic punctuation to the music.

Why is the piano considered part of the percussion family?

The piano is considered part of the percussion family because it produces sound when hammers strike strings inside the instrument, rather than through plucking or bowing. It is both a stringed and percussion instrument.