Question

An orchestra or symphony orchestra is made up of how many different "families" of instruments?

1) Two
2) Three
3) Four
4) Five

Answer 1

A symphony orchestra is comprised of four families of instruments: aerophones (wind), chordophones (stringed), membranophones (drums), and idiophones (self-sounding).

Step-by-step explanation:

A symphony orchestra is made up of four different "families" of instruments. These families are:

• Aerophones (wind instruments), which produce sound through the vibration of air. Examples include the flute and tuba.
• Chordophones (stringed instruments), which produce sound from vibrating strings stretched between two points. Violins and cellos are part of this family.
• Membranophones, which make sound through vibrating stretched membranes like drums.
• Idiophones, which create sound through the material of the instrument itself vibrating without the use of strings or membranes, such as cymbals or xylophones.

Each family contributes to the full range of harmonies and textures that define the characteristic sound of a symphony orchestra.