The first three, yes. Vibraphone is included in the percussion section, but isn't frequently used.
Vibraphones
Vibraphones are not considered a main orchestral group like strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Instead, they belong to the percussion family and are often used as a supplementary instrument in orchestral settings. While they can add unique tonal qualities to orchestral compositions, their usage is typically more specialized and less common than the main orchestral groups.
Vibraphones
The smallest orchestral family is typically the percussion family. While orchestras can have a wide range of instruments across strings, woodwinds, and brass, the percussion section often includes fewer distinct instruments. Common members include drums, cymbals, and tambourines, and sometimes just a single player may represent this family in smaller orchestral settings.
It's in the percussion family
Strings
percussion, and strings
Generally, they are considered part of percussion.
No, it belongs with the strings.
In orchestral music, the main groups or families typically include strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. A group that does not fall into these categories could be electronic instruments or vocal ensembles, which are not traditionally considered part of the orchestral framework. Additionally, instruments like the guitar or piano, while sometimes included in contemporary orchestras, are not part of the main orchestral families.
Orchestras consist of four main families of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Among these, the string family typically has the most members, often including violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. This larger presence allows strings to provide the core harmony and melodic lines in orchestral music.
Percussion, technically. It's percussion because the strings are hit with hammers.