How the Orchestra Evolved

The orchestra first appeared around the year 1600.

Baroque Basic

Baroque Festive

Mostly strings

Keyboard

All of the basic plus on special occasions more instruments were added.

Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass

harpsichord

Brass trumpets

Winds
oboe
Bassoon

Percussion

timpani

Classic

Brass and winds become an everyday feature, not just for special occasions. The harpsichord drops out.

These instruments are added to the orchestra during the Classic Period:

Brass (used for volume only)

French horn

Winds

Flute

Clarinet

Romantic

Added to the orchestra during the Romantic Period:

Brass Trombone Tuba Brass now plays melody

Winds Very high and very low winds Piccolo High E flat clarinet Bass clarinet Contra bassoon

Percussion Bass drum Snare drum Cymbals Bells Triangle

Modern

Added to the orchestra during the Modern Period:

Special effects percussion such as whip, wood block, gong, castanets, xylophone