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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

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.