The Orchestra Sings - Eugene Symphony
The Orchestra Sings - Eugene Symphony
The Orchestra Sings - Eugene Symphony
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Orchestra</strong> <strong>Sings</strong><br />
Instrument Families<br />
<strong>The</strong> PERCUSSION family is probably the<br />
most varied family in the orchestra. Sound<br />
on percussion instruments is created by<br />
physically hitting, rubbing or shaking a solid<br />
material, like a metal triangle or a<br />
membrane (like the top of a snare drum).<br />
Membranes were once made from animal<br />
skins, but today most drums use a synthetic<br />
material. Only a few percussion<br />
instruments produce a specific pitch.<br />
Pitched percussion instruments that use a<br />
membrane, like the timpani, change pitch<br />
when the tension of the membrane is<br />
altered. Percussion instruments usually<br />
provide rhythm for the music. Many<br />
people don’t know that the percussion<br />
family also includes the piano.