What is the difference between an Orchestra and a Band? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between an Orchestra and a Band?

What is the difference between an Orchestra and a Band?

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Asked by Isa , Last updated: Dec 20, 2024

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5 Answers

Elena Sheldon

Elena Sheldon

Being in the arts and science department amuses me every day.

Elena Sheldon
Elena Sheldon, Director of research, Diploma in Arts and Science, Berkeley, California

Answered Dec 09, 2020

The significant difference between a band and an orchestra is that orchestras usually play classical music, while bands have more options as to what type of music they play. An orchestra is said to be a group of musicians playing classical music together. An orchestra can even have over a hundred musicians.

A large orchestra is a symphony, or a philharmonic orchestra, while a small orchestra can have over thirty musicians. The smaller orchestra is called a chamber orchestra. Bands, on the other hand, can include concert bands, brass bands, or marching bands.

The concert band has musicians playing woodwind, brass, percussion instruments, and brass band play such as the trombone, tuba, trumpet, and drums. Marching bands typically perform outdoors, much of the time at sporting events, and they usually march all together in place. Bands can generally play any music they want to.

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Maxence

Maxence

Have keen interest in writing, traveller by heart.

Maxence
Maxence , Writer, Vienna

Answered Nov 27, 2020

A music band refers to a group of musicians who perform together mainly by playing wind instruments. An orchestra refers to a large group of musicians who perform together by playing various instruments. An orchestra is not centered basically on wind instruments. In fact, the core instruments of an orchestra are string instruments. However, wind instruments are also part of an orchestra. In the event that a band uses string instruments, such a band is called a symphonic band. This is why a type of music band like a symphonic band can fall under an orchestra. Another important difference between a band and an orchestra is the size of the two music groups. Although a band is also a large group of musicians, an orchestra has more musicians. The two groups can play classical music. However, an orchestra can play symphonic pieces, while a band can only play jazz pieces.
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Brendan

Brendan

Always excited to learn and talk about new topics

Brendan
Brendan , Analyst, NY

Answered Nov 27, 2020

An orchestra is different from a band in so many ways. One of the ways to differentiate between an orchestra and a band is to compare the size of the two groups. An orchestra refers to a large group of instrumentalists or musicians who play together with different instruments. A band, on the other hand, also refers to a group of musicians who together on various instruments. However, in terms of size, an orchestra consists of more musicians than a band. Another difference is that some instruments are not played in a band. For instance, string instruments are not used in a band. String instruments such as violin, violas, and basses are used in orchestras. On the contrary, instruments such as clarinets, trumpets, flutes, brass, and other percussion instruments are used in bands. While the conductor of a band can be compelled to play instruments, the conductor of an orchestra does not need to play any instrument.
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Jori

Jori

Have keen interest in writing, traveler by heart.

Jori
Jori , Writer, M.A, Zürich

Answered Nov 18, 2020

An orchestra is composed of different musicians. There are going to be different musicians that will be playing the same instruments, and they will be doing stage performances for a singer. They would be more focused on producing the type of sound that is needed by the singer to have the best performance. When you say band, this will refer to a group of people who would have different roles. The different members of the band will be playing varying types of instruments. Take note that bands will also have different personalities depending on the instruments that they would like to play. An orchestra can also have many styles depending on the singer that they would be playing for.
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O.Olivia

O.Olivia

O.Olivia
O.Olivia

Answered Jul 20, 2020

There are some people who are confused with the difference between a band and an orchestra. When you say orchestra, this is usually composed of different people who will be playing various string instruments. When you say “band,” this may be composed of different people who normally play different instruments. It does not have to be string instruments because some bands would also use some percussion instruments.

There are some people who are confused with the difference between a band and an orchestra. When
An orchestra is considered to have a more dramatic sound as compared to the type of sound that bands can create. It is important that you know the difference because this will help you out a lot for sure. Some people think that an orchestra is better than a band, but it will usually depend on your taste.

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