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.
The string family is the largest group in the orchestral family
The smallest orchestral stringed instrument is the Violin. The size of stringed instruments, from smallest to largest, is as follows: Violin Viola Cello Double Bass
Strings
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Brass
The string family is the largest group in the orchestral family
The smallest orchestral stringed instrument is the Violin. The size of stringed instruments, from smallest to largest, is as follows: Violin Viola Cello Double Bass
Strings
Woodwind.
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Brass
It's in the percussion family
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Vibraphones
The piccolo, which is a small version of the flute. Some might say the piccolo since it is quite small. However, there are so many percussion instruments that it is hard to tell which might be the smallest. I would think that castanets might be considered the smallest instrument in the orchestra. They are typically about the size of the palm of your hand.
Vibraphones
string section