Loading...
Instruments of the Orchestra
Quiz by Ben Clapton
Customize this quiz to suit your class
Instantly translate to 100+ languages
Tag the questions with any skills you have. Your dashboard will track each student's mastery of each skill.
Give this quiz to my class
Sort these intruments into the correct family
sorting://String Family|Violin, Double Bass, Cello: Woodwind| flute, oboe, bassoon
Sort these instruments into the correct family
sorting://Brass Family|Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium: Percussion| Timpani, Snare Drum, Glockenspiel
Sort these intruments into the correct family
Sort these instruments into the correct family
How is a musical sound produced on a Tuba
How is pitch changed on a clarinet?
How is pitch changed on a trombone?
Which instrument is lower in pitch?
Which family of instruments is generally found at the back of the orchestra?
What is the highest pitched woodwind instrument?
To which family does the cor anglais belong?
Which woodwind instrument is made out of metal?
Which family of instruments is usually found at the front of the orchestra?
What is the lowest pitched brass instrument?
Instruments of the Orchestra Quiz 1Instruments of the Orchestra QuizInstruments of the Orchestra (Doc's Fine Arts)Instruments of the Orchestra 3rd GradeOstinato Music Definition Ostinato (plural – ostinati or ostinatos) is an Italian word meaning obstinate or persistent and is used in music to describe a musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated persistently. The repeated pattern could be a melody, a figure in the bass – called a basso ostinato or simply a repeated rhythmic idea. An ostinato may be played for an entire piece of music or just during one section. The key aspect to remember in the definition of an ostinato is that it is a pattern that is repeated persistently in a piece of music. Rhythmic Ostinato A rhythmic ostinato is a rhythmic pattern that is persistently repeated. It will often be played on an untuned percussion instrument (e.g. snare drum, triangle, etc..). However, rhythmic ostinati can also be found in parts played on pitched instruments where the note pitch stays the same or where the pitches change as the phrase is repeated. The key characteristic is that it is the rhythm that is persistently repeated.In Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” the use of a rhythmic ostinato brings a magical and almost hypnotic feel to the piece as the percussive pattern contrasts with the sweeping and almost improvisatory nature of the flute melody. Have a look at the pattern below and listen to its use in the audio extract: Rhythmic Ostinato Example from Ravel Bolero.A rhythmic ostinato is an excellent technique that composers use for creating drama and tension. One of the most famous examples of this is from “Mars” by Gustav Holst. Have a look/listen to the rhythmic pattern: Rhythmic Ostinato Example from Gustav Holst Mars. This rhythmic pattern is played relentlessly throughout the piece and forms the basis for the intense drama associated with the subject – Mars, the god of war! Have a listen to this extract of the piece performed by the United States Air Force Band:You can hear how the relentless sound of a rhythmic ostinato is extremely effective at building tension as the music around it changes and develops. This effect is heightened in the extract from Mars as the bass note remains on a G throughout the extract and acts as a pedal point. Not surprisingly, rhythmic ostinati are used widely in dramatic film music. Hans Zimmer is a film composer who makes considerable use of this technique across the many film scores he has written. Have a listen to the opening from his theme for the film “Pirates of the Caribbean” performed by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra:You can hear that there are a number of different ostinati in many of the different parts that are layered to produce the overall sound. Here is the rhythmic ostinato that forms the basis of the melody line: Rhythmic Ostinato Example Hans ZimmerMelodic ostinato A melodic ostinato is a repeated pattern where both the rhythm and the melody form the basis for the repeated pattern. These often occur in the bass part where they are called a basso ostinato. Basso Ostinato A basso ostinato is a repeated pattern in the bass part of a piece. This technique became particularly popular in the 17th century where a number of Baroque dances were based upon ostinati in the bass part. In dances such as the passacaglia the bass remained constant throughout the piece whilst the other parts developed. This technique is called “ground bass” and you can have a look at my lesson on ground bass for some examples of this. The most famous example of a basso ostinato is Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Ostinati Examples in Contemporary Music Rhythmic and melodic ostinatos have had a massive influence on contemporary popular music across a wide range of genres. This can be seen in 2 main ways: Riffs (short melodic phrases) – these are effectively contemporary expressions of ostinato. Loops – rhythmic and melodic phrases are repeated to create the characteristic sound of contemporary productions. As a result, you will probably be able to find examples of the use of repeated patterns/ostinati in most contemporary songs. However, there are some songs where the use of an ostinato provides the clear foundation for the song and these are useful examples to listen to. Examples of Ostinati Riffs Seven Nation Army by White Stripes The guitar riff from Seven Nation Army is one of the most famous modern guitar riffs and is used as an ostinato that plays throughout the song. It is an excellent example of a melodic ostinato:Back in Black by AC/DC The opening guitar riff in this song is another great example:Examples of Loops Loops are repeated patterns that are clearly built on the concept of ostinati. They are used widely in contemporary music. Hip hop songs often use loops as the foundation for the track. Still D.R.E by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg In this song a piano loop plays throughout the whole track and forms the foundation of the song:Create a quiz with these questions: Tempo – Questions What Italian word means "slow"? What tempo marking means “lively” or “fast”? What tempo marking means “walking pace”? What word is used for “very fast” tempo? What do we call a gradual change in tempo? What term means to return to the original tempo? 🔊 Dynamics – Questions What symbol tells you to play loudly? What dynamic marking means “very soft”? What is it called when music suddenly becomes soft? What dynamic term means to gradually get louder? What do mp and mf stand for? What two markings show extreme contrast in dynamics? 📝 Note Values – Questions What note gets one beat in 4/4 time? What kind of note gets half a beat? Two of what type of note equal a whole note? What note has a stem, is filled in, and has one flag? What kind of dot adds half the value of the note it follows? What combination of notes equals a dotted quarter note? 📏 Time Signatures – Questions What time signature has 2 beats per measure? What time signature is used for waltzes? What time signature is used in marches? What does the top number in a time signature tell us? In 4/4 time, how many beats are in 3 quarter notes and 1 eighth note? What time signature is called “compound duple” and used in Irish jigs? 📻 Current Music Info – Questions Which artist had the highest-grossing tour by 2025? What is the most-used music streaming service in 2025? What music genre continues to top the Billboard charts in 2025? Which artist released a surprise double album in 2024? What tech company released a hit AI-generated song? Who is the youngest artist to win Album of the Year twice? 🎺 Instruments & Timbre – Questions What instrument family includes the violin and cello? What family do the flute and clarinet belong to? What instrument has black and white keys and is both string and percussion? Timbre describes what aspect of a sound? What word describes how instruments are combined in an arrangement? What double reed instrument often plays the tuning note in an orchestra?Me than in others , a sense which I once possessed in the greatest perfection ..." Even in his darkest moments , however , Beethoven never abandoned hope . Despite his hearing loss , he was determined to find a way to continue living a life full of music . He used a variety of hearing aids to try to increase the amount of sound he could take in . When composing music at the piano , he would put one end of a pencil in his mouth and place the other end against the instrument so that he could feel the notes . Although Beethoven was able to continue composing music , it became increasingly difficult for him to perform in public . When Beethoven presented Symphony No .9 in Vienna in 1824, it was his first time on stage in over ten years . Since that day , Beethoven ' s Symphony No .9 has become one of the most famous and treasured pieces in the history of classical music . The first movement starts quietly , but all of a sudden the whole orchestra breaks into an energetic theme . You can soon feel the determination - a quality Beethoven understood well because of his hearing difficulties - coursing through the music . The next two movements are full of desperate lows and uplifting highs which perhaps reflect both his suffering and his strong will to fight it . The music moves through technically difficult sections with ease , showing his genius as a composer . Finally , in the fourth movement , he connects all of the different variations into a joyful chorus . As Beethoven ' s last great work , his Symphony No .9 was also a grand finale to his life - he died less than three years after the concert in Vienna , aged 56. For his amazing achievements and for his determination even in his darkest days , Beethoven is regarded as one of the most remarkable musicians who ever lived .The Bamboo Instruments of the Panay Bukidnon