History of each instrument - Essay Example

A brief history for ten orchestral instruments will be given, along with a famous performer and a musical piece made for each instrument. After thisis accomplished, a review of four instruments will be completed.Flute The flute is a member of the woodwind family. This instrument is the oldest in the woodwind family. The bone whistles and hollow reeds blown across the end were some of the first flutes. The flute was found in ancient Egyptian monuments and other Arab countries. The flute came to Europe from the East in the 12th century.

At first the flute did not have keys, only holes with one piece. The standard flute had six holes and one key divided into three sections. This changed when Theobald Boehm changed the flute in the 1830’s. He developed a cylindrical flute with 15 tone holes, 23 keys, and levers. Keys were also arranged where almost all holes opened naturally. The Boehm Flute has remained unchanged and is used to this day. Artist: Theobald Boehm b. April 9, 1794 d. November 27, 1881 MunichPiece: Fantasie sur un Air de F.

Schubert, Op.21 Boehm, Theobald, n.d.Oboe The oboe is also in the woodwind family. The first reed instrument was made by Egyptians. Initially barley straws pressed flat and then placed into a small pipe were the first oboes. Romans had instruments of similar make. By the 12th century, a short double-reed instrument made its appearance. The 14th century saw the instrument change. Finally in the 17th century the instrument was made into the modern oboe. The Hotteterre family made the first oboe with three sections and six keys and hole.

This oboe was improved on with more key mechanisms, with the used of nine keys. Artist: Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni b. 1671 d. 1751 ItalianPiece: Sonata in C, Bach, J.S., n.d.Clarinet Another woodwind is the clarinet. One of the first instruments resembling a clarinet was found in Greece, Persia, and India. It was a round pipe with one reed. The Celts made a clarinet out of animal bones with seven holes. These instruments evolved into the 16th century to instruments with eight finger holes/two keys called a chalumeau.

John Christopher Denner changed upon the instrument in the late 17th century by adding a special key. More keys were added through the Boehm system of keys in the 19th century. This version is still used today.Artist: Richard Straussb. June 11, 1864d. September 8, 1949 GermanPiece: Metamorphosen, Strauss, R., n.d. Bassoon The Bassoon is in the woodwind family. The forerunner of the bassoon was created by B.C. Egyptians. Barley straws were pressed flat, and then placed in a small pipe.

Later holes were added. The Romans had a similar instrument called a tibiae. The shawm was formed in 12th century Europe. This was a short double reed with a conical bore and a wide bell. This came from the East to Europe. The 16th century was when Alfranio Canon of Ferrara formed the new shape with the tubes bending back upon itself. The 18th century bassoon had four sections and four keys. Heckel designed the current form. Artist: William Waterhouse b. February 18, 1931 d.

November 5, 2007 London, EnglandPiece: The Bass Nightingale, Nigro, S. and M. Lindeblad, 1996. French Horn The French horn is in the brass family. The early types of horns were made from animal horns. Only later would the horns be made of metal, brass. These horns were used for hunting, arrivals, and military calls. The 16th century saw a various range of notes. The shape of the horn was made circle or semicircle to make them easier to carry. In the 17th century, the bell was widened.

These changes were called the cor de chasse, thus the name of the French horn.Artist: Alex Frank-Gemmil b. 1985 d. ---- American Piece: Ride of the Valkryries, Wagner, Robert, 1856.Trumpet The trumpet is in the brass family. Trumpets have been used since ancient Egypt for war. Greeks and Romans also used the trumpet. Keys and tone holes were added in the 17th century. Valve mechanisms were soon added. German brass players Heinrich Stolzel and Friedrich Bluhmel patented their valve additions in the 19th century.

This allowed for a greater range of tones. Artist: Friedrich Bluhmelb. 1777d. 1845 GermanPiece: A Very Short Trumpet Piece, Feldman, M., 1985.Trombone The trombone is another member of the brass family. It transformed from the trumpet, being dubbed the big trumpet or trombone. The main difference is the slide. It originated in the early part of 14th century Italy. Neuschels of Nuremberg made a sackbut in England during the 16th century. This is similar to the Italian trombone. Valves were applied, but caused the loss of timbre.

Artist: Jeffery Herrington b. January 8, 1995 d. --- American (Oklahoma) Piece: Nobody Does It Better “Jackson State University”, arr. LuMark Gulley. Violin The violin is a member of the string family. The bow was added to the lute in the 10th century for the beginning of the violin. The medieval fiddle had been made with four strings in 1550. Lateral pegs, a waisted body, and f shaped sound holes were also added. These improvements are still similar in structure today. Today’s violin was shaped in the 16th century.

The violin is the only instrument that has remained unchanged for over three hundred years. Artist: Nigel Kennedyb. 1956 d. --- EnglandPiece: Solo Violin Piece 1, Evans, G., 2002.Cello The cello is in the string family. It was created from the violin. The ello was first developed in the 15th century by Andrew Amati. He transformed the viola de gamba into the cello. The name was derived from violone, or big viola. The use of thicker strings gave it a lower sound than the violin.

Artist: Joseph Marie Clement Ferdinand dallAbaco b. March 17, 1710 d. August 31, 1805 Brussels, BelgiumPiece: Phrygian Fantasy, Angelov, S., 2007. HarpThe harp is a member of the string family. It has evolved over time independently in remote parts of the world. From South America to ancient Egypt this instrument can be found. The Celtic harp was a smaller version of the larger European harp used in today’s symphonies. Artist: Caryl Mann b. ---- d.

---- EnglandPiece: Air for the G String, Bach, J.S., n.d. The trombone has sharp and drawn out sounds. The notes can range from low to high. A trumpet is a higher noted instrument. The military tone resonates in the instrument. A harp is flowing for weddings, with a wide range of low and high notes. A bassoon has lower notes. All of these instruments, plus the other six listed make beautiful music from Bach to Wagner. All of them are equal important in making a philharmonic.