answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

As a music director for musicals and having played in many pits and being an orchestrator of shows myself, I can tell you that the instrumentation in most shows varies from 3 people to 24. Broadway shows of the past, the Richard Rodgers-era, often had very large pits, like this one from "South Pacific":

PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE

FLUTE (Doubling Piccolo)

OBOE (Doubling English Horn)

CLARINET I-II

BASSOON

HORN I-II

HORN III

TRUMPET I-II

TRUMPET III

Trombone I

TROMBONE II

TUBA

PERCUSSION

VIOLIN A (Divisi)

VIOLIN B (Divisi)

VIOLIN C (Divisi)

VIOLIN D (Divisi)

VIOLA (Divisi)

CELLO (Divisi)

DOUBLE BASS

HARP

Today's shows tend to be a little smaller because of the costs of musicians and the use of synthesizers, which has become more wide-spread. Take this orchestration from "Legally Blonde":

3 Woodwind Players (Playing saxophones, flutes, oboes, & clarinets of various types)

2 Trumpets

1 Trombone

French Horn

Drums

Percussion

2 Violins

1 Viola

1 Cello

3 Keyboards

2 Guitars

Bass Guitar

In general, you will find: (in order of occurrence)

Rhythm Section (Keyboards, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Percussion)

Brass

Woodwinds

Strings

Other Instruments (Usually the more esoteric ones - Accordion, Harp, etc.)

Hope that helps!

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Harps lots of

Chellos lots of

Lot of strings

Symbols

Double base

Piano

Kettle Drums

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What instruments are typically in a pit orchestra?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What kind of flute should i buy if I'm in a pit orchestra?

A good performance flute will be fine. "Pit orchestra" simply means the orchestra is located in a sunken area in front of a stage, called the "pit." There are no particular instruments for a pit orchestra, nor is there any particular size of orchestra that plays in a pit.


What instruments make up the pit orchestra in the sound of music?

A Standard orchestra but with only one instrument of each instrument


What is the name of the place where the orchestra plays in a theatre?

The place where an orchestra plays - is called the orchestra pit


What are the orchestra's instruments?

in a string orchestra the instruments are: Bass Violin Viola Cello.


How many musicians typically perform with an orchestra?

A full-size orchestra consists of about one hundred musicians, who play instruments in the string, brass, woodwind, and percussion sections. There are also chamber orchestras, which are smaller and consist of fifty musicians or fewer.


What does PIT stand for within an orchestra?

The "pit" is where the orchestra (or other musicians) usually performs from for a musical presentation.


What has the author Madeau Stewart written?

Madeau Stewart has written: 'Instruments of the Orchestra' 'The music lover's guide to the instruments of the orchestra' -- subject(s): Musical instruments, Orchestra


What are the ratings and certificates for Instruments of the Orchestra - 1946?

Instruments of the Orchestra - 1946 is rated/received certificates of: UK:U


What is a orchestra's area called?

The pit.


What is an orchestra's area called?

the pit


What famaily does the orchestra belong in?

The orchestra is not a group of instruments - it contains groups of instruments such as woodwind, brass, strings and percussion.


Which reed instruments are you unlikely to find in a symphony orchestra?

Saxophones are reed instruments not normally found in a symphony orchestra.