Orchestral Music - the various Instruments (cross-post)

[Linda (Australia)]

Hi - does anyone know of a resource whereby, the student listens to an orchestral piece of music, and has to pick out the various instruments?

 

Eg. what instrument is playing the solo - answer: oboe.

 

I know we 'can' do this with any piece, but I'd rather something with a teacher's guide, so we know we have it correct!

 

Anything like this out there? I have a few cds that go through the various sounds of each instrument, but nothing where the student has to pick out what is what.

 

Thanks!

[Storm Bay]

I don't, but I would really like to know if there is one, too, so I'm bumping this. Not that my dc are eager to do this, but I'd like to get at least one of them to do it.

[Jane in NC]

Perhaps for younger kids, but we once had a board game that accomplished this, Aristoplay's Music Maestro. It is long out of print, I fear, but every once in a while these games turn up in charity shops or on Craig's List. (I should check my attic to see if we still own it.)

 

Another resource for younger kids is a recording made by Peter Ustinov called, I believe, The Orchestra. I am only aware of it--haven't heard it--so I'm not sure if it fits the bill. Perhaps your library will have it?

[Storm Bay]

Perhaps for younger kids, but we once had a board game that accomplished this, Aristoplay's Music Maestro. It is long out of print, I fear, but every once in a while these games turn up in charity shops or on Craig's List. (I should check my attic to see if we still own it.)

 

Another resource for younger kids is a recording made by Peter Ustinov called, I believe, The Orchestra. I am only aware of it--haven't heard it--so I'm not sure if it fits the bill. Perhaps your library will have it?

 

How would it compare with Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra?

 

But you've just reminded me that our library has a DVD set of an old b&W TV series on the orchestra (I hope they still have it). I'll have to look it up. Ds could do that on our computer so it doesn't disrupt the whole house.

[Jane in NC]

How would it compare with Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra?

 

But you've just reminded me that our library has a DVD set of an old b&W TV series on the orchestra (I hope they still have it). I'll have to look it up. Ds could do that on our computer so it doesn't disrupt the whole house.

 

The Leonard Bernstein Young People's Concerts were really good. That is probably what your library has.

 

Not having heard the Ustinov recording, I can't compare it to Britten. Sorry.

[Storm Bay]

The Leonard Bernstein Young People's Concerts were really good. That is probably what your library has.

 

Not having heard the Ustinov recording, I can't compare it to Britten. Sorry.

 

That's what they have. I'm going to have ds do it; he's the only one who doesn't get really cranky with all that TV. Plus my eldest is already doing Chemistry Alive! & some of her German on the computer, etc.

 

But will those concerts teach him how to follow any instrument through, even the ones doing the middle voices?

[Jane in NC]

That's what they have. I'm going to have ds do it; he's the only one who doesn't get really cranky with all that TV. Plus my eldest is already doing Chemistry Alive! & some of her German on the computer, etc.

 

But will those concerts teach him how to follow any instrument through, even the ones doing the middle voices?

 

These programs taught a great deal about music in general. Whether this specific issue is addressed, I do not know. Perhaps the recordings have a booklet with an index to help you hone in on certain programs??

[JennW in SoCal]

I am a busy semi-pro violinist who teaches violin, performs often, and LOVES music. I got a bit long winded in answer to a simple question, but here goes (my own little manual for the Well Trained Ear!)

 

Learning to recognize the voices of the orchestra is not something done quickly and easily. It develops over time, and I'm honestly not sure why you feel that alone is important to learn. I think to really learn and understand music you have to start with the music that moves you, then start listening with a more critical ear to figure out what it is about that music that truly stirs your heart. Is it the tempo, the rhythm, the harmonies, the melody, or perhaps the instrumentation, or the period (baroque, romantic, classical).

 

To begin to understand music on all those different levels, you should watch those old Young People's concerts that Leonard Bernstein did. He is passionate and excited about music -- he plays the melody on the piano and explains it, then has the different sections of the orchestra play their parts then they play the complete work. It is informative, enjoyable and his passion is contagious.

 

To begin to train you ear to distinguish the different instruments, listen to Peter and the Wolf, and get the book The Story of he Orchestra by Robert Levine which comes with a lovely cd that has selections of music that feature each individual instrument from the orchestra. Then start listening to chamber music. Listen to Mozart or Hayden string quartets to get used to hearing the strings, and perhaps get some solo violin and cello Bach sonatas (solo viola is hard to find!). Then listen to wind chamber ensembles and listen to solo concerti for clarinet, flute, french horn, bassoon, oboe. Read the liner notes, too, as often it will detail which instrument takes the lead and when.

 

Attend concerts. Many libraries and churches offer chamber music recitals on Sunday afternoons, and they are not always well attended. Talk with the musicians -- most enjoy talking about the work or their particular instrument.

 

Watch recitals on youtube! My string quartet is tackling Beethoven this fall, and I found our particular work done by an Austrian quartet on YouTube and it is excellent (ah-- so THAT is how fast it should be and how to phrase that passage.)

 

One final off-the-wall but sincere recommendation. Don't discount modern movie scores. John Williams has written some brilliant symphonic music for Star Wars, ET and Harry Potter. The Lord of the Rings score is also brilliant. the great part about listening to those scores is you can train you ear to listen for what the composer was trying to invoke with his music because you know which scene it is for, or what the character is like so that is why their theme is the way it is. This is how I introduced my kids to classical music.

 

The composer of the soundtracks for the tv series Battlestar Galactica is a truly brilliant and talented young man by the name of Bear McCreary. He has a blog where he breaks down each score for each episode. He uses real instruments for his recordings, a rarity for television music (most are MIDI samples) and in his blog he breaks down each theme used in an episode and his choice for instrument for that theme. I am currently listening over and over to the season 4 cds as it simply amazing.

 

But most of all, listen to what you enjoy. Music is meant to stir the soul, not be a task of drudgery!

[HollyinNNV]

Hi - does anyone know of a resource whereby, the student listens to an orchestral piece of music, and has to pick out the various instruments?

 

Eg. what instrument is playing the solo - answer: oboe.

 

I know we 'can' do this with any piece, but I'd rather something with a teacher's guide, so we know we have it correct!

 

Anything like this out there? I have a few cds that go through the various sounds of each instrument, but nothing where the student has to pick out what is what.

 

Thanks!

 

If you don't find a resource......I'd start by listening to a few sonatas (a sonata is usually a solo instrument accompanied by the piano) by the featured instrument-let's say oboe for example. You can certainly hear the difference between the oboe and piano. Then I'd move to oboe concertos. The oboe is playing with the orchestra in a featured manner. Then I'd move to picking out the oboe within an orchestral work. Repeat with various instruments.

 

Some instruments are harder than others, of course. For example the violin and viola share 3 strings, "A," "D," and "G." So, if you were to play a piece that mainly featured those 3 strings, it would be really hard to tell if it were violin or viola. Sometimes you can tell from the tone color of the instrument-but not always. My dh and I (both violists) will listen to recordings and sometimes have a hard time guessing, especially with a talented violist.

 

For a novice, the clarinet and oboe might have a similar sound. The oboe and english horn are also similar.

 

Have fun learning about the orchestra instruments!

Holly

[Julie in MN]

To begin to understand music on all those different levels, you should watch those old Young People's concerts that Leonard Bernstein did. He is passionate and excited about music -- he plays the melody on the piano and explains it, then has the different sections of the orchestra play their parts then they play the complete work. It is informative, enjoyable and his passion is contagious.

 

To begin to train you ear to distinguish the different instruments, listen to Peter and the Wolf, and get the book The Story of he Orchestra by Robert Levine which comes with a lovely cd that has selections of music that feature each individual instrument from the orchestra. Then start listening to chamber music. Listen to Mozart or Hayden string quartets to get used to hearing the strings, and perhaps get some solo violin and cello Bach sonatas (solo viola is hard to find!). Then listen to wind chamber ensembles and listen to solo concerti for clarinet, flute, french horn, bassoon, oboe. Read the liner notes, too, as often it will detail which instrument takes the lead and when.

 

Attend concerts. Many libraries and churches offer chamber music recitals on Sunday afternoons, and they are not always well attended. Talk with the musicians -- most enjoy talking about the work or their particular instrument.

 

Watch recitals on youtube! My string quartet is tackling Beethoven this fall, and I found our particular work done by an Austrian quartet on YouTube and it is excellent (ah-- so THAT is how fast it should be and how to phrase that passage.)

 

I don't know of a CD that specifically does what you describe, but I like all of Jennifer's suggestions. They are all things that have worked well for us.

 

I also like the CDs called "Instruments of Classical Music" series. If your child has a favorite instrument, you can listen to various classical songs featuring that instrument. My son liked Harpsichord & Trumpet.

 

Julie

[Orthodox6]

:iagree:with JennW and the content of her post. (quasi-senior-citizen violist and horn player writing this). I probably developed my skills without effort just by playing in ensembles, band, and orchestras.

 

Check whether your local classical music station airs Bill McGlaughlin's program, "Exploring Music."

 

Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin is an exciting daily radio program that delves into a wide assortment of topics in classical music. Each five-program series builds off a single theme ranging from composer biographies to explorations of various cultures, musical styles, and time periods.

 

 

Throughout this journey, Bill McGlaughlin guides the listener deep into the music with care and enthusiasm by giving historical context, illustrations at the piano and providing a special insight that only a top-notch musician, conductor, broadcaster, and composer could. Whether 90 or 9, professional musician or simply a music lover, Bill McGlaughlin truly makes exploring music fun. [END QUOTE]

[BettyL]

A resource I have found helpful is classicsforkids.com. In the composer area there are worksheets that teach the history of each composer. You can also listen free to a piece of their music and the worksheet often gives you elements to listen for in the music.

[Kareni]

I am a busy semi-pro violinist who teaches violin, performs often, and LOVES music. I got a bit long winded in answer to a simple question, but here goes (my own little manual for the Well Trained Ear!)

 

 

 

I like it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Storm Bay]

These programs taught a great deal about music in general. Whether this specific issue is addressed, I do not know. Perhaps the recordings have a booklet with an index to help you hone in on certain programs??

 

 

I picked it up yesterday. We're just about the only people that ever check it out. It'll be great anyway; of all my dc he's liked the other ones the most and listened to them the most often.

[Storm Bay]

I am a busy semi-pro violinist who teaches violin, performs often, and LOVES music. I got a bit long winded in answer to a simple question, but here goes (my own little manual for the Well Trained Ear!)

 

Learning to recognize the voices of the orchestra is not something done quickly and easily. It develops over time, and I'm honestly not sure why you feel that alone is important to learn. I!

 

Thanks for a great post. I think it's all important, too, but as a pianist I have a rather lazy ear (but managed to get 10/10 on my last ear test thanks to a great teacher who told me that and helped me--she's a vocalist) so I can't follow all the instruments all the way through. Therefore, since it's what I can't do, I want something to help with that (I'm not the OP, but am interested in it). I would think that that would take time. I do remember having a teacher who had me practice each line (or you could call it voice) in Bach Fugues so that I could better play 4 voices with 2 hands and have each one stand alone yet be part of the whole. I'm not wording it right, but it made sense and improved my playing so that each time the theme was started it was clear, even though each hand was playing 2 parts at a time much of the time.