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Everyone knows that there are orchestras that play in the films, right? There are violins, trumpets, and soloists, at times.

But what are the other instruments that give the film its feeling, besides violins, trumpets, and the instrument Steet mentioned with toilet paper tubes?

The first thing you should know about a film, is that there must always be music. Even with speaking, music is the thing that make sthe watchers feel.

Now, how many types of instruments actually play? Well, let's see... there are the violins, trumpets, flutes, toilet paper instruments, and a LOT of others! Most people do not have a clue what an orchestra REALY is. If I asked the average person, 'What is an orchestra?' I would most likelye be told, 'It's a big group of people who play instruments.'

In the Balto films, there aren't very many solo pieces, but if you listen in the White Wolf scene, the first trumpet gets to play the big solo, that all us fans always feel so humbled by.

Now let's back up, a second. You DID catch that I said, 'First Trumpet,' right? In an orchestra, many sections two of themselves divided, or 'First - ' whatever the instrument section is.

Here is a list of all the instruments that play in a typicall orchestra, NOT including Chamber orchestras(The order starts in the strings, and works its way around the half circle, then onto the other winds, brasses, etc.)
Violins (First)
Violins(Seconds)
Violas
Cellos
Basses
Woodwinds(Bassoon, clarinet, oboe)
Winds(Flutes, piccilo)
Trumpets
Trombone
Tuba
Saxophone (Yes, they do play in orchestras)
French Horn

I think I got everything.

Now, there is a section leader. For instance, in the cello section, ALL of the Cellos play the SAME PART. Only at times does the composer have inside players and outside seperated. The first cello, called the Principal Cellist, plays any solos that are written for the cello section. Every section is like this.

The first violins are the ones who played the best, in their audition to enter the orchestra. There ia always another audition, for chair seatings. The one who plays the material asked the best, out of the first violins, becomes the first Violinist, or Concertmaster. This player plays all material written for the solo violinist.

Occasionaly, an orchestra will play a piece with another instrument who is the soloist... such as a piano. The Pianist sits to the side of the orchestra, and plays their part. In any piece, where there is a soloist, THROUGHT the ENTIRE piece, the soloist stands to the side of the orchestra, towards the front.

Then, there is the Conductor, of course. The conductor gathers his/her players every week, and practice the pieces for the upcoming concert. There are MANY different time signatures, and the conductor needs to lead the orchestra, using trained hand motions, and cues. The Conductor always cues the instrument that is going to play, after a rest, while the rest of the players are going. A Cue is normally the Conductor giving eye contact with the Principal innstrumentalist, and nodding, though usually it is with the baton that he points to the player with.


Music gives feeling, as I stated above. What if, in the White Wolf scene, there was no music? What about Muru's Chant? What would be happening without the orchestras sound?

So next time you watch he films, give some thouught to the orchestra. Without their hard work (Music is not easy for levels... there is a point where it can get extremely difficult, especially for those who do NOT have the tune - they have to concentrate the hardest on counting), there would be no feeling. The musicians in a serious, or professional orchestra ALWAYS practice more than a band, or school orchestra, and normally do better. These types of orchestras desrve the most gratitude, because they are not playing for just themselves... they are performing for you.

You have a good point. Like When Obi-Wan and Aniken are fighting if John Willioms wasen't proforming " Duel of the Fates " no way it would be as Epic as it really is.

I think you should ask Danman or SnowWolfMystic, they would be sure to answer that.

this is why i love soundtracks so much (or at least part of the reason). i also play several instruments, and my favorite things to play on them are movie songs/music. i finally did something classical for my piano recital this year because i knew my teacher wanted me to try something besides movie music, lol. movies just wouldn't be the same without the music.

You are very correct Agwolfcp!!!

Answer what?

Sorry I didn't read all the thing, I thought you were asking some questions Well I know, I don't have time to read long topics like this, but at the same time I like when people post long topics

Yeah, same here...

Yes, a orchestra is what makes a movie. I do wonder how many people actually realize how big most orchestra's, or the skill it takes to play in a movie orchestra. Those people sightread the music on the day of recordings, that is just plain impressive. and it ain't like that's easy music either. Hehehe, trumpets, yeah, we always hog the spot light, don't we.. Well, in the older orchestra music we didn't get as much spot light since we had no valves and were limited in playing ability when the music was written, but yeah, we're glory hogs and we know it (or at least I am). Scary part is, with every wind insturment there is usaly two parts per instrument at least, sometimes more. So that adds up to at least 20 diffrent parts, and they all have to play together perfectly. Yeah, movie orchestra's are not human they're so good.

Hey Kodiwolf, do you do orchestral stuff, cause it sounds like you know what your talking about. Oh yeah, and you forgot the french horns and I think that in some orchestral music there are tuba parts.

Thats an excellent point. I think a lot of people forget about the work that goes into a soundtrack, if you ask me I'd say thats just as important as the movie. You can't have a great movie with a crappy soundtrack and you can't really have a good soundtrack for a crappy movie.

That's a really good point Lakoswolf,who'd want terrible music in a good soundtrack.

Oh no! I did forget... I will edit it right now! And yeah... I do orchestra!!!! My favorite thing to do! I have the greatest Conductoer as well!!

Yes, you are all right: But the orchestras are not sight reading the parts when they are recording the score: they work on it first as a group and on their own and things like that, and then they perform it for the recording.

Aww, this entry was really cute! As a future studio orchestral musician, I'm really happy to hear people appreciate what it is that we do.

Could I offer a few corrections?

Saxophones are not part of the symphony orchestra... yes, they DO sometimes come in to play if the piece calls for it (Bolero, Pictures at an Exhibition, etc), but traditionally, no.

Flutes are considered woodwinds just like the oboe, clarinet, bassoon... and their auxillary (double) instruments include the piccolo, English horn, bass/alto/contrabass/Eb/etc clarinet, and contrabassoon.

Other instruments not listed include the pianist (they ARE part of the orchestra), harps, and aaaaaall the percussion! Beyond that, many composers are starting to throw ethnic instruments into the works (check out Wolf Quest's score. They use a number of instruments which definitely aren't in your Western orchestra).

While I'm not 100% sure how it works in STUDIO calls, generally there aren't "chair auditions" like there are in highschool band. Positions open up one by one, and you audition for it and it alone. When I auditioned to be in the WoC orchestra, I would have ended up as the ONLY oboe. In a symphony, you might audition for 3rd trumpet, or last stand viola.

And actually, yes. In movie recordings, you have to pretty much sightread. You walk in that morning, run through the piece maybe ONCE, and then record. If you miss a beat, you're out... it's quite the business...

Great entry! *thumbs up*