The purpose of this instrument table is to display the tonal range, relative volume and possible restrictions of the most common orchestral instruments. Most instruments are presented with a sample recording. These presentations are designed to help the user to determine where the idiomatic tonal texture of the particular instrument should be placed when orchestrating or composing.

As a rule, the extreme ends of the tonal ranges are the most difficult for an amateur musician to play, and when using these notes, discussion with the performer is recommended. The red notes apply mainly to the professional musician (in downloadable files these are marked with "----" and/or the areas separated by a grey column.

Browse the instrument table (with your computer browser) by clicking the instrument which you wish to find information about. Theoretical facts and some generally accepted instrument combinations have been added to each musical instrument page. The instrument combinations are merely suggestions, of course.

The instrument table is based on the material presented earlier on the MOVE-virtual university webpage. The table is regularly updated and more audio and video material will be added in near future. This edition is part of the SOI-project which concentrates on instrumentation and orchestration more specifically. The material of the SOI-project will be released in the library of the e-concerthouse as financial resources allow. The content of the SOI-project has been awaiting publication for several years, but the funding for the technical realization is yet to be obtained.

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