Ask The Orchestra Questions & Answers

Question from Erin and Dad:

What is the lowest and highest note on a harp?

Answer from Nichole Young:

Harps come in all sizes and ranges, from a small lap harp (about 2ft tall)
to a pedal harp (about 6 feet tall). The number of strings on a harp
depends on the size of the instrument. Lever harps are harps that are used
in folk music or for a beginning harp student. These harps can have
anywhere from 12 strings to 36 or more. The harp that is used in an
orchestra is a pedal harp. The range of a pedal harp is 6 1/2 octaves and
have either 46 strings (for a Semi-grand model) or 47 strings (for a full
sized Concert-grand model). The lowest note on a full-sized Concert Grand
harp is a C flat - three octaves below middle C. The highest note is a G -
three and a half octaves above middle C.

Nichole Young

Question from Tamara Hedrick:

What factors influence Maestro Intriligator's decision to conduct using the score or from memory during performance? I noticed that during the last concert he conducted Beethoven's 6th from memory, but I would imagine that he has most of the music he conducts memorized, and on most other pieces he uses the score. Is the score for reference, or security, or is there a more technical reason?

Tamara Hedrick

Answer from William Intriligator:

Dear Ms. Hedrick,

Thank you for your inquiry. After studying my music scores for many, many hours over a long period of time, I try to develop an in-depth familiarity and knowledge of the piece. It isn't my goal to 'memorize' the piece, per se: it is more based on formal architecture, tempo, melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, phrase shapes, etc.

Once I'm in front of the orchestra, I rely on the score for rehearsal purposes. If I have conducted the piece many times, then I will sometimes decide to put away the score at the final dress rehearsal and for performances. I do this in order to have a more direct connection with the musicians playing--and hence a more direct connection with the aural music itself.

Again, I wouldn't say that I have memorized the piece: any score of great music will be full of new revelations each time you study it, and each performance should go into unknown territory, finding new truths.

Despite the many hours of preparation, with scores that I am conducting for the first time in concert, and frequently with concertos (because you never know what might happen with even the finest soloist), I will use the score for exactly the reasons you stated: as a matter of reference and security.

Let us know if we can answer any other questions you have about the Dubuque Symphony or the music we perform. The world of symphony orchestras is wonderful, enriching, and, at times, strange and confusing. Your curiosity is to be commended.

With all best wishes,

William Intriligator

Question from Elizabeth & Dad:

My 12 year old daughter is doing a project on an Orchastra and the many Instruments. She has chosen five- Violin,Viola,Cello,Double Bass & Harp. I as her Dad, am helping her with a bit of the info required. Can you tell us the following: For each that is: where are they all positioned in the Orchestra (generally) and the highest + lowest notes for each.

Many thanks for you help

Elizabeth & Dad

Answer from Caroline Curtis, Concertmaster:

There are two violin sections in the orchestra divided by 1st violin and 2nd violin. The 1st violins are seated to the direct left of the conductor and the 2nd violins are next to them. They both are the same instrument but play different parts. The highest string is the E string on the far right of the instrument. They proceed w/the A string, D string, and followed by the lowest the G string. They are tuned in fifths- meaning 5 notes apart from each string.

The Viola's are seated next to the 2nd violins and also next to the cello's. There highest string is the A string, then the D string, G string, and the lowest is the C string, (similar to the cellos).

The cellos are to the direct right of the conductor. There highest string is the A string, the D string, the G string, and the lowest is the C string. Although similar to the viola strings they are pitched an octave (8 notes) lower than the viola pitch (or sound).

The string bass is located behind the celli and violas. There highest string is the G string, the D string, the A string, and the lowest is the E string. Although the same string names as the violins the strings are placed opposite from highest to lowest and are pitched 2 octaves below the violins.

The harp is usually situated either behind the violin section or somewhere between the violas and 2nd violins. I'm not sure how many strings they have but I do believe it's similar to the piano but w/fewer octaves. It does although require a tuning key to tune every string quite frequently.

I hope this helps.

Caroline Curtis
Concertmaster
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra

Question from Anita Walker:

I have formed an ensemble for an upcoming holiday performance. Our ensemble is composed of individuals who have played while in high school, but not much since that time. We would like to play several traditional holiday carols for our performance at the company Christmas party.

As a flute player, I am used to playing directly from a vocal score. With this knowledge, I mailed our ensemble several copies of a four part vocal score of several traditional carols. I did not know until today that most instruments require a transposition to play from a vocal score. The other instrumentalists in the ensemble are not used to transposing. Can you help us? Our performance is tomorrow!

Anita Walker
Des Moines, IA

Answer from William Intriligator:

Since your impromptu performance is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, it would seem that purchasing parts appropriate for your instrumentation is not feasible, the following information should help you.

The following suggestions should help your ensemble with their performance.

1. Select the vocal line that is most appropriate to your instrument range. For example, clarinet 1, flute, piccolo, trumpet 1 may read the soprano line; second clarinets, flutes, trumpets, saxophones may read the alto line; bass instruments would read the bass line.

2. Use the Instrument to Instrument Transposition Guide

The guide is used in the following manner:
A. Select the primary instrument that the part was written for, in this case the piano in C.
B. Find the instrument that will read the new part, in this example the clarinet.
C. Determine the number of steps between the original instrument and the reading instrument.

For example, a clarinet reading a vocal score in C would transpose the piece one whole step higher (i.e. Bb to C, F to G, or C to D)

Anita, we hope this helps your ensemble with their performance.

Musically yours,
DSO

Response from Anita Walker:

Thanks a million. This is great!
Anita Walker

Question from Carly Garfield:

I have noticed that when the other orchestras tune before the start of the concert, they take the tuning note (A) from the oboe. Why is it the oboe and not the first violin or another instrument of the orchestra?

Answer from William Intriligator:

The precise reason why orchestras tune to the oboe is unclear to me. There are many theories and many misconceptions. It is not, as some would suggest, because the oboe is the instrument that is easiest to play in tune. I can vouch for this as an oboist myself! I believe it is because of the timbre of the oboe-- that is, the particular sound color of the oboe-- which 'cuts through' the sound of the orchestra and is therefore easier to hear when a large group of instrumentalists are tuning at once.

The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra does tune to the oboe. The concertmaster comes on stage and asks the oboist for the tuning note A (440 hertz) for woodwinds and brass, then another A for strings. When our concertmaster tunes the orchestra herself (that is, without the oboist) it is when we are playing with just string instruments.

Return To Top