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[[Image:Orch.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The Western Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.]]
[[Image:Orch.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The Western Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.]]
An '''orchestra''' is an ensemble of musicians, led by a director. Orchestras are used frequently in [[classical music]] and often have the [[instrument]]s divided into sections, such as the wind section, the percussion section, etc.
An '''orchestra''' is an ensemble of musicians, led by a director. Orchestras are used frequently in [[classical music]] and often have the [[instrument]]s divided into sections. The orchestra is made up of four groups of instruments - strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
==Strings==
The string section consists of violins, divided into first and seconds, violas, violincellos and double basses. Four-part harmony is frequently used in the scoring notation for the string section. The string section can produce the most expressive medium in the whole orchestra - any point of nuance or subtlety is possible, from the softest pianissimo to the most solid forte. Contrasts of tone are also available by mechanical means, such as -
# the plucking of the strings (known as ''pizzicato'').
# the ''ponticello'' tremelo (bowing the strings nearer to the bridge of the instrument).
# the user of the mute (''consordino''), a small clamp fitted over the bridge.
# ''col legno'' (strings are struck with the back of the bow).
# ''double stopping'' (bowing two strings at a time).
# ''harmonics''
The strings form the backbone of the orchestra - great masterpieces have been written for soloists and for the string quartet (first violin, second violin, viola and violincello). In an orchestral piece, the strings are almost continuously used throughout. In general, the first and second violins play in close harmony, the violas play a similar part in a lower range to strengthen the harmonic texture. The cellos and double basses share a bass part which provides a rhythmic foundation.
==Violin==
''Main article: [[Violin]]''
The violin is the most important instrument of the orchestra. The leader of the first violins is called the leader of the orchestra and ranks next in importance to the conductor.
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Music]]