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OSMose Educational Guide

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Educational guide credits

I want to know more about:

The visual guide

The four instrument families in the orchestra

The role of the conductor

The concert

The smaller the instrument, the higher the sound. The larger the instrument, the lower the sound.

The orchestra is divided into four instrument families: strings,, woodwinds,, brass and percussion.

The 4 instrument families

STRINGS

WOODWINDS

BRASS

percussion

Strings

Bowed strings

Hammered strings

Plucked strings

The string family is the largest in the orchestra. It can be divided into three categories:

Octobass

Violin

Bowed strings

Double bass

Cello

Viola

All instruments in this category are made of wood and have a curved shape. They all have four strings, a bridge, a fingerboard, and a tailpiece. How are they played? To make a sound, the musician presses the strings onto the fingerboard with the fingers of one hand while using the other hand to draw a bow across the strings, causing them to vibrate. Note: The smaller the instrument, the thinner and shorter the strings. The larger the instrument, the thicker and longer the strings.

Bowed strings

Now

Before

A bow is made of a wooden stick with hair attached. The hair is generally cut from a horse’s tail. This doesn’t hurt the horse; it’s just like cutting your own hair.

Early bows looked much like the bows used to shoot arrows.

What is a bow?

Bowed strings

is the smallest instrument in the string family. There are two violin sections in the orchestra: first violins and second violins. Why? So that each section can play a different musical part. How is the violin played? The musician tucks the instrument between the shoulder and chin. It can be played seated or standing. A violin player is called a violinist.

The violin

Violin

Viola

Listen to the violin and the viola samples. Do you notice any differences?

is a little bigger than the violin. In the orchestra, the viola section often plays a part that supports or highlights the melody played by the violins. How is it played? Just like a violin. Seated or standing, the instrument rests on the shoulder, with the player’s chin on top. A viola player is called a violist.

The viola

Violin

Cello

is much larger than the violin.In the orchestra, the cello section often plays an accompaniment part, but it can also play melodies. How is it played? The cello player sits with the instrument between their legs and the fingerboard resting on their chest. The height of the cello can be adjusted using a metal rod (called the “end pin”) attached to the bottom of the instrument. The end pin is placed on the floor to support the instrument. A cello player is called a cellist.

The cello

Violin

Double bass

is one of the largest bowed instruments. It’s almost two metres (six feet) long. In the orchestra, the double bass section plays an accompaniment part. How is it played? Either standing or seated on a tall stool. The double bass also has an end pin. A double bass player is called a double bassist.

The double bass

Violin

Octobass

The OSM has a fifth bowed string instrument: the octobass. There are only a few octobasses in the world. It is rarely used in the orchestra. How is it played? It’s so tall, you have to stand on a small stool! The strings are too big to press down with the fingers, so levers are used instead.

The octobass

The concert harp has 47 strings and seven pedals. In orchestral music, the harp often plays solo parts and melodies. How is it played? The musician plays seated, with the instrument resting on their right shoulder. They pluck the strings with the fingers of both hands, excluding the pinkie finger. They use foot pedals to change the pitch of the notes. A harp player is called a harpist.

Plucked strings:concert harp

pizzicato

A pizzicato is when a bowed string player plucks the strings of the instrument with their finger instead of using the bow.It is an Italian word, pronounced pit-zee-cah-tow.

Plucked strings:

piano

Grand piano

Upright piano

How is it played? The musician sits on a bench and presses the black and white keys on the keyboard. When pressed, each key causes a small wooden hammer to strike a string that resonates. In the orchestra, they use a grand piano. It has 88 keys and can be 1.5 to 3 metres long. The piano is always placed near the harp. A piano player is called a pianist.

Hammered strings:

Digital piano

The digital piano does not have hammers or strings. It needs to be plugged in. How is it played? Just like the acoustic piano. The difference is that the sound is not generated by a hammer striking a string. Each key is associated with a preprogrammed sound stored in the piano’s memory. A digital piano can have 25, 32, 49, 61, or 88 keys. It can be very useful in places where space is limited.

Digital piano

Bassoon

Oboe

Saxophone

Clarinet

Flute

Woodwinds are wind instruments.

Woodwinds

A mouthpiece

A single or double piece of wood called a “reed” that vibrates to generate a sound.

blowing into...

They are played by

Lne a flûtUne

Saxophone

Flute

The flute belongs to the woodwind family because it was once made of wood. Today, it is made of metal, and can even be made of silver or gold. The saxophone is also part of the woodwind family because it uses a reed. The reed is attached to the mouthpiece (where the musician blows) and vibrates to generate a sound.

Why are the flute and saxophone called woodwinds?

Piccolo

There are many types of flutes, including the piccolo, a small flute that can play very high notes. “Piccolo” is an Italian word that means “small.” The piccolo is often made of wood rather than metal like the flute.

The flute is played holding the instrument horizontally and on the right. A flute player is called a flutist.

Flute

There are three types of clarinet in the orchestra. There is a small one in E-flat, which is very high pitched. The most common one is the B-flat clarinet. There is also the bass clarinet, which is much larger and lower pitched than the others. All clarinets are made of ebony, a very rare wood that grows in southern Africa. This type of wood produces a warm, rich sound. A clarinet player is called a clarinetist.

Clarinet

Although the sound of the English horn resembles the sound of the oboe, it is lower pitched because it is longer. Notice that the bottom part of the English horn has a different shape than the oboe. It looks like a bulb rather than a cone.

English horn

The oboe and its cousin the English horn share a similar sort of nasal sound. This is why Sergei Prokofiev chose the oboe to represent the duck in his well-known symphonic tale Peter and the Wolf. An oboe player is called an oboist.

Oboe

The contrabassoon is also made of a long wooden tube folded back on itself, but it is almost twice the length of the normal bassoon. It is one of the lowest-sounding instruments in the orchestra. The player must rest the instrument on the floor using a peg.

Contrabassoon

The bassoon is made of a 2.5-metre-long wooden tube that folds back on itself. It can be made of maple or rosewood. A curved metal tube, called a bocal or crook, extends from the top of the bassoon. This is where the reed is placed. Bassoon players hold their instrument at a slight angle, resting it on their right hip. A basson player is called a bassoonist.

Bassoon

The saxophone is not often played in the symphony orchestra because it was not invented until 1846, so it is more modern than the other orchestral instruments. Saxophones come in many types and sizes. The one in the picture is a tenor saxophone. A saxophone player is called a saxophonist.

Saxophone

Tuba

Le Tuba

Horn

Trumpet

La trompette

The brass section is smaller than those of the woodwinds and the strings, but it is by no means quieter! Brass instruments are generally made out of – you guessed it – brass, an alloy of copper and zinc.

Brass

Trombone

Le trombone

Horn

Trumpet

Tuba

Valved brass

The trumpet is the highest-pitched instrument of the brass family. It is made of a cylindrical brass tube approximately 1.5 metres long that curves back on itself several times. It has a mouthpiece at one end and a bell at the other. To generate sound, trumpet players vibrate their lips while blowing into the mouthpiece. They use the valves to change pitch. Many different notes can be produced using any given valve combination. The player just has to change the airflow and lip vibration. The trumpet player is called a trumpetist.

Trumpet

The tuba is the lowest-pitched instrument of the brass family. It is also the one that needs the greatest amount of air. The tuba uses up to six valves to shorten or lengthen the amount of tubing through which the sound travels. The tuba player is called a tubist.

Tuba

The horn has a mouthpiece, flat valve levers, a wide bell, and many feet of coiled metal tubing. Horn players place their right hand in the bell to hold up the instrument and to adjust the sound. This instrument is often associated with hunting. Unlike the trumpet and tuba, the horn's valves do not move up and down, but rotate on themselves. The horn player is called a horn player.

Horn

This instrument doesn’t have valves. Instead, trombone players move a curved metal tube, called a slide, in and out along other metal tubes. Just like valves, the slide allows the trombonist to change the instrument’s length so they can play different notes. The trombone player is called a trombonist.

Slide trombone

Unpitched percussion

Pitched percussion

The percussion section is located at the back of the orchestra. Percussion instruments can be made of wood or metal and sometimes have drumheads. Percussion instruments are shaken, hit, scraped, or even rubbed! A percussion player is called a percussionist. Percussion instruments are categorized by the type of sound they make. There are two categories:

Percussion

Timpani

Glockenspiel

Celesta

Marimba and vibraphone

Timpani, glockenspiel, celesta, marimba, and vibraphone are all pitched percussion instruments. They produce real notes that could be played on a piano. These instruments are often used to play melodies.

Pitched percussion

Cymbals

CYMBALES

Triangle

Tambourine

Snare drum

AISSE CLAIRE

Bass drum

GROSSE CAISSE

Snare drum, cymbals, bass drum, tambourine, and triangle are all unpitched percussion instruments. They produce sounds that are not specific notes. These instruments are often used to play rhythmic parts or sound effects.

Unpitched percussion

Conductor

The conductor is the person who stands facing the orchestra.

The conductor’s job includes cueing the musicians so they know when to start or stop playing. The conductor also indicates how loud or soft to play (dynamics) and how fast or slow to play (tempo). Using gestures and facial expressions, the conductor communicates the emotions contained in the music to the orchestra. In a way, the orchestra is like one big instrument played by the conductor.

There is a choral part in the score

Did you notice ?

In this excerpt, you can hear the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

This is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. You will note that there are indications written in Italian.

Dynamics

Tempo

Musical notation

Instrument names

The score

After countless hours studying the score, the conductor knows the piece almost by heart.

Then the conductor is ready to lead the orchestra. Let’s see what a score looks like.

TUNING THE ORCHESTRA

Did you know?

ADAM JOHNSON, CONDUCTOR

DYNAMICS AND TEMPO

What is a dynamic? What does tempo mean?

These two components of music are invisible, and yet they greatly influence the music we hear.

~ 140

140-200

> 188

112-160

100-128

88-112

76-100

60-80

52-68

40-60

Tempos, from slowest to fastest BPM (beats per minute)

Dynamics, from the softest to the loudest

Starting in the Renaissance period (16th century), Italian words came to be commonly used throughout Europe to indicate dynamics and tempos in a score. However, some composers choose to write these indications in their native language, be it German, French, or even Russian.

Invisible elements of music

Playlist

The concert

The artists

The composers

The concert

Thomas Le Duc-Moreau

Conductor

Thomas is the conductor for this concert. Thomas has conducted the OSM on many occasions. He has also conducted many other orchestras in Quebec, Ontario, and Europe. Thomas studied conducting at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. He graduated with a master’s degree in 2018. He also plays the cello.

Guylaine Guay

Host

Guylaine Guay is a graduate of the École nationale de l'humour, and has been working in Quebec's cultural scene for over 25 years. She is an author, TV and radio host, lecturer, patron of the Véro et Louis Foundation and mother of two young autistic adults, Léo and Clovis. Guylaine is the host of this concert.

Dominique Côté

Baritone

Dominique is a singer. He works mainly in North America and France. Dominique trained as a singer at the Atelier lyrique of the Opéra de Montréal. He also studied acting at the École de théâtre de St-Hyacinthe.

Émilie Barrette

Dancer

Émilie is a dance teacher and dance therapist at the National Centre for Dance Therapy of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Émilie dances on the stage with Carol during one of the pieces of the concert.

Carol Jones

Dancer

Carol is a dance teacher and dance therapist at the National Centre for Dance Therapy of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Carol has formal training in dance and in theater. Carol dances on the stage with Émilie during one of the pieces of the concert.

Caroline Hamel

Illustrator

Caroline Hamel is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Montréal. In 2005, she won the Prix Québec/Wallonie-Bruxelles with the youth album Maman s'est perdue. She is also the illustrator of the biography La légende de Louis Cyr. Her bibliography now includes more than twenty titles. Caroline created the illustrations that I will see on the big screen during the OSMose concert.

Playlist

I can listen to the pieces that are performed at the concert here:

The concert

The concert will last 45 minutes. During the concert, you will hear the orchestra play. There will also be some singing and some dancing during the concert. Between the pieces of music, Guylaine Guay will talk about the music being played. I cannot go on stage. However, I can dance and move to the music.

Singing time

Dancing time

Applause time

Listening time

Quiet time

Pictograms

Five (5) pictograms will be used during the concert, so I know what to do and when to do it.

It's time, the concert begins!

Afterwards

Peter's theme from Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about the instruments of the orchestra.

Afterwards

The Young Prince and the Young Princess by Rimski-Korsakov.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about the instruments of the orchestra.

Afterwards

Ravel's Boléro.

Afterwards

Le trombone

Guylaine talks about the instruments of the orchestra.

Afterwards

Fanfare pour précéder La Péri by Dukas.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about the instruments of the orchestra.

Afterwards

Percussion Theme by Britten.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about what we can imagine when we listen to music.

Afterwards

Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about what we can imagine when we listen to music.

Afterwards

Morning Mood by Grieg.

Afterwards

Guylaine asks us a question regarding the music.

Afterwards

Hoe-Down by Copland.

Afterwards

Guylaine asks us a question regarding the music.

Afterwards

Hedwig's Theme by John Williams.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about music that makes us think of animals.

Afterwards

Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimski-Korsakov.

Afterwards

Guylaine invites two dancers to come on stage.

Afterwards

The Montaigues and Capulets by Prokofiev. You can dance with Emilie and Carol if you want.

Afterwards

Guylaine talks about how we can sing to music.

Ode to Joy by Beethoven. You can sing with Dominique if you want.

Afterwards

Afterwards

Guylaine tells us to sing for the end of the concert.

Afterwards

Dominique sings the song Le grand rendez-vous with us. You can also dance with Emilie and Carol if you want.

It's the end of the concert. Thank you for coming to hear the OSM. See you soon!

The composers

The composer is the person who wrote the music. Composers might write for a solo instrument, a small ensemble, or a full orchestra. Composers often play an instrument as well. Orchestras play music written by both living composers and those from the past, such as Beethoven and Debussy. During the concert, you will hear music from 11 different composers. The following pages contain information about these composers.

Sergei Prokofiev

(1891-1953), Russia Sergei Prokofiev was a Russian composer. He was also a great pianist. He wrote the symphonic tale Peter and the Wolf in 1936. He also composed music for famous ballets like Romeo and Juliet (1935), and Cinderella (1944). In the concert, I will hear: -> Peter and the Wolf, op. 67: “Peter theme”, excerpt -> Romeo and Juliet, Suite, op. 64: “The Montagues and Capulets”, excerpt

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

(1844-1908), Russia Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most famous Russian composers. Originally destined for a military career, he still found time to compose, earning himself a seat among the greats. His most famous composition is certainly the symphonic suite Scheherazade, inspired by Oriental tales. In the concert, I will hear: -> Scheherazade, Symphonic Suite, op 35: III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess, excerpt

Maurice Ravel

(1875-1937), France Pianist, composer, and conductor Maurice Ravel was one of the most prominent French composers of his time and a proud representative of the impressionist movement in music, alongside Debussy. Ravel explored new ways of composing. He was influenced both by the music of the past and by jazz and world music. In the concert, I will hear: -> Boléro, extrait

Paul Dukas

(1865-1935), France Paul Dukas was a composer, music critic, and teacher. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, one of his most famous works, was included in the Disney movie Fantasia. La Péri is one of his last major compositions. In the concert, I will hear: -> Fanfare pour précéder « La Péri »

Benjamin Britten

(1913-1976), United Kingdom Benjamin Britten was a conductor, violist, and pianist. He is also considered one of Britain’s greatest composers. Greatly influenced by British folk music, he mostly wrote vocal pieces. The most famous is certainly his opera Peter Grimes (1945). In the concert, I will hear: -> Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra: “Percussion Theme”, excerpt

Claude Debussy

(1862-1918), France Claude Debussy is one of the composers who most impacted the early 20th century. He is known for his incredible ability to “paint” with music, using the different musical colour palettes of the orchestra. His most famous works are Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, Jeux, and La Mer. In the concert, I will hear: -> Children's Corner, L. 113 : I. Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum

Edvard Grieg

(1843-1907), Norway Norwegian pianist and composer Edvard Grieg was greatly inspired by the folk music of his native country. His most famous work is Peer Gynt, written for a play of the same title and from which he later adapted two suites for orchestra. In the concert, I will hear: -> Peer Gynt, Suite no. 1, op. 46: I. Morning Mood

Aaron Copland

(1900-1990), United States Aaron Copland, a 20th-century composer from the United States, wrote several works that evoke the landscape and culture of the U.S. One such work is Rodeo, premiered in 1942, in which the movement “Hoe-Down” refers to a wild folk dance. Rodeo is a “cowboy ballet” that tells the story of a… cowgirl! In the concert, I will hear: -> Rodeo: IV. Hoe-Down, excerpt

John Williams

(1932 - ), United States John Williams was born in 1932 in New York City. He is one of the most famous composers of film music in the world. He wrote the soundtracks to Indiana Jones, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and the first movies of the Harry Potter franchise, to name a few. He is still an active composer today. In the concert, I will hear: -> Harry Potter, Suite: “Hedwig’s Theme”, excerpt

Ludwig van Beethoven

(1770-1827), Germany Beethoven is one of the most important composers in history. He continued composing even after he started to go deaf and composed works that are still considered great masterpieces. His Symphony No. 9, with its famous “Ode to Joy,” is probably one of the world’s most performed and beloved classical works. In the concert, I will hear: -> Symphonie no. 9 in D minor, op. 125: “Ode to Joy”

Her official website:

fannybloom.com

Fanny Bloom is a singer-songwriter. She has been pursuing a solo career since 2011 (she previously sang with the trio La Patère rose). In 2012, her first CD, Apprentie guerrière, won the Félix award for Alternative Album of the Year. Fanny composed the song Le grand rendez-vous for the project Une chanson à l'école (Culture pour tous).

(born in 1986), Canada

Fanny Bloom

Credits

Texts: Introduction guide to the orchestra, Marie-Claude Codsi and Mélanie Moura Creation of pictograms: Caroline Hamel Bank of pictograms: Sergio Palao. Origin: ARASAAC (http://www.arasaac.org). License: CC (BY-NC-SA). Owner: Government of Aragon (Spain) Translation: Evelyne Rydiard The OSM wishes to thank the orchestra musicians that have contributed to the creation of this guide. In collaboration with Nathalie Leroux, music therapist. OSMose is an initiative of the OSM and philanthropist Michel Phaneuf.