MEPX
Chapter 8 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Sound and pitch
  2. 2Reading notation
  3. 3Rhythm and metre
  4. 4Scales and keys
  5. 5Harmony
  6. 6Melody and phrasing
  7. 7Form
  8. 8Instruments and voices
  9. 9Music around the world
  10. 10Listening and playing

Chapter 8 of 10

Instruments and voices

Families and ranges.

How sound is produced

Strings, winds, brass, percussion and keyboards each excite air differently, which sets their range and character. Voices are classified by range from bass to soprano.

  • Orchestration is the craft of combining these colours.
  • Electronic instruments synthesise or sample rather than vibrate.

Ensembles

Quartets, orchestras, bands and choirs each balance parts differently, and arranging for one is largely about who carries the melody, the bass and the middle.