Instrumental group

Audio: instrumental group (0:12)

instrumental group plays a four part harmony by three different instrumental groups in turn: a solo Hammond organ, a string quartet and a pop band. The instrumental group figure shows the score and the table lists the names of common instrumental groups containing one to five instruments.

Instrumental groups come in all shapes and sizes. Small ensembles, such as those used in chamber music, comprise up to about a dozen instruments, large ensembles have 80 instruments or more.

Here are some examples of combos or combinations of instruments:

• Pop or rock band: 1 lead guitar, 1 rhythm guitar (optional), 1 keyboards (optional), 1 bass guitar, 1 drums.
• String quartet: 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello.
• Woodwind quartet: 1 flute, 1 oboe, 1 clarinet, 1 bassoon.
• Brass quintet: 2 trumpets or cornets, 1 French horn, 1 trombone or baritone horn or euphonium, 1 bass trombone or tuba.
• Jazz band up to 8 instruments: 1 trumpet, 1 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 trombone, 1 guitar, 1 piano, 1 bass, 1 drums.
• Orchestra:
  • Chamber orchestra: up to 50 instruments.
  • Symphony orchestra: 80+ instruments.