Instruments of the Orchestra

There are four families of instruments represented in an orchestra, strings, winds, brass and percussion. For more information visit http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/orchestra.html .

Character of Music

Harmony is important to the character of music. Consonant harmonies produce soothing sounds, while dissonant harmonies create tension and uncertainty. In general, pieces written in a minor key evoke feelings of melancholy. Pieces written in a major key sound joyful and uplifting.

At the Opera

Many opera plots are convoluted and confusing. Before you go to the opera, take a look at a libretto, the “script” for the opera. If you arrive early, spend some time reading your program notes. You might also want to listen to a CD to become familiar with some of the most famous arias before you leave home.

How to find a classical station

In general the classical stations are public stations which are on the low end of the FM band (between 88.1 and 91.9).

Heinrich Schenker

Heinrich Schenker (1868-1935) was a music theorist who defined chords by their relationship to each other and to the overall structure of the piece of music. Schenker believed that after differentiating between chords of structure and chords of prolongation, the listener is able to grasp the structural framework of the music, and thereby enjoy the “prolongations” or the melodic unfolding of the structural chords.

Applause at Concerts

Do not applaud between movements. The silence in between movements signifies a change in mood. Do clap at the end of a piece. If you are not sure, wait and see what the rest of the audience does.