Discovering the Instruments of the Orchestra

Course details

The world's greatest orchestras have the incredible ability to sound so unified they feel like one single instrument. Listening to the music of an orchestra can feel invigorating, exciting, and life-affirming all at the same time. But how do you learn to hear and appreciate the nuances of each instrument? How have the instruments that make up an orchestra evolved and improved over time? Dr. L Michael Griffel, Chair of Juilliard's Music History Department, takes you on a journey into the orchestra and introduces you to the history of its principal instruments. You will learn about each instrument, from violin to timpani, and will gain the ability to recognize their individual sounds and textures when listening to any orchestral music. Through four modules you will discover the four families of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, giving you confidence to further discover the music of the orchestra. No prior musical experience necessary. Updated on 17 September, 2019