MAN:
Now it's time for us to meet the instruments of the orchestra. Now, a modern symphony orchestra can be divided into four different families of instruments, or four different sections, which is why our musicians are wearing these brightly coloured tops. So we're going to meet each of those sections now. And first up is the largest section of the orchestra, who are all wearing blue. I think you should give them a big cheer. Give them a cheer!
(Cheering)
Orchestra section wearing blue stand.
MAN:
So, what's this section of the orchestra called?
AUDIENCE:
Strings!
MAN:
Strings. Absolutely right. And in the strings, you find these instruments here. Violins. A little bigger than a violin, you have this…
(Audience calls out)
MAN:
..the viola. A little bit bigger than a viola…
AUDIENCE:
Cello!
MAN:
And hiding in the corner…
AUDIENCE:
Double bass!
MAN:
Wow, look at how strong they are. Now, all our string players play using these special sticks here, which are called…?
AUDIENCE:
Bows!
MAN:
Bows. And what's a bow made of?
CHILD:
Horse hair!
MAN:
Horse hair. Absolutely right. Thank you, strings. But do you know what? Our string players are so brilliant, they can also play without the bow, by plucking the strings, and we call that 'pizzicato'. Can you say that for me? Pizzicato!
AUDIENCE:
Pizzicato!
MAN:
Would you like to hear what the strings sound like?
AUDIENCE:
Yes!
MAN:
Have a listen to this.
(Orchestra plays pizzicato symphony)
(Applause)
MAN:
Now, in the very middle of the stage, we have a section of the orchestra all wearing green, and they power their instruments by blowing through them. Have a listen to this.
Orchestra members wearing green stand.
(Wind instruments play jolly tune)
(Applause)
MAN:
So, what is the name for the green team in the orchestra?
AUDIENCE:
Woodwinds!
MAN:
The woodwinds. They're called the woodwinds because they blow through their instruments and all of these instruments used to be made of wood. But nowadays, one of them is made of silver. What's that? Flute. What's the name for the very small instrument there, next to the flutes?
AUDIENCE:
Piccolo!
MAN:
Piccolo. Absolutely right. Now, next to the flutes, we have these instruments here.
AUDIENCE:
Clarinet.
MAN:
They're not the clarinets.
AUDIENCE:
Oboes!
MAN:
They're oboes. Absolutely right. And the very big oboe there is called a 'cor anglais'. Whoo, fancy. Now, behind the flutes, you find these, which are?
AUDIENCE:
Clarinets.
MAN:
Clarinets. Next to the clarinets? Bassoons and a contrabassoon. Thank you very much to the woodwinds. Now, sitting behind them we have the loudest section of the orchestra. Give them a big cheer!
(Cheering, applause)
MAN:
And they, of course, are called?
AUDIENCE:
Brass!
MAN:
The brass. In the brass, we have these instruments here.
AUDIENCE:
French horn!
MAN:
French horns. And then we have?
AUDIENCE:
Trumpet!
MAN:
Trumpets. Next to the trumpets?
AUDIENCE:
Trombone!
MAN:
Trombones. And in the corner, we have the world's strongest man playing…?
AUDIENCE:
Tuba!
MAN:
Tuba. Now, our brass section have to make a kind of a buzzing sound through their instruments, and this buzzing sound is very beautiful. Listen to this.
(Buzzing hum)
MAN:
Gorgeous, isn't it? No. But if they attach their mouthpieces and then make the buzz travel all the way through, they sound magnificent.
(Brass section plays tune)
(Applause)
MAN:
So, we've met the strings, the woodwinds, the brass… Who's left?
(Audience shouts)
MAN:
The percussion. Now, in the percussion section, you find all kinds of instruments that you have to hit…
(Drums play)
MAN:
..or smash…
(Cymbals clash)
MAN:
..or play with sticks.
(Gong sounds)
MAN:
But did you know that the harp and the piano are also part of the percussion section as well? Would you like to hear what they all sound like playing together?
AUDIENCE:
Yes.
(Percussion section plays tune)