I want to be able to identify instruments when played. For example, if I'm listening to some symphony, I want to be able to identify the oboe from the bassoon, the viola from the violin, etc. I have searched software for learning instrument recognition, but I haven't found anything yet. Do you know any method for learning this ? (software or not).
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2Just listen to them. Try Peter and the Wolf for a great lesson in instrument identification. I don't think this is a good question for this site though.– Doktor Mayhem ♦Apr 25, 2013 at 17:43
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2Might I also suggest following along in the score. imslp.org has many public domain music scores. Find one and listen along.– Rey AbolofiaApr 25, 2013 at 17:50
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4I think this is a fine question.– slimApr 26, 2013 at 8:52
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youtube: Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong That's Jazz.– luser droogApr 26, 2013 at 21:53
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1As for viola vs. violin, that's easy...– leftaroundaboutMay 1, 2013 at 19:45
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2 Answers
I suggest you find a recording of Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra". There are versions on YouTube, iTunes etc. and any classical music shop will stock it on CD or DVD.
It was composed specifically to demonstrate the various sections and instruments of the orchestra in turn.
It is sometimes recorded with a narration, and sometimes without.
Your options:
- use a narrated version, and just listen
- use a non-narrated version, and follow a score, or a written copy of the narration script
- watch a video or live performance, so you can see what instrument is making which sound
I think that the best way to do this is to listen to music at concerts with a score so that you can see which instrument is playing which sound.
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1Obviously this requires, that the instruments are visually recognized reliably. So the first step would be to click through orchestral instruments in wikipedia first (string, woodwinds and brass for the beginning), where the sound clips may give a first idea.– guidotApr 26, 2013 at 13:11