Treatise on Instrumentation
The Treatise on Instrumentation (sometimes Treatise on Orchestration) is a technical study of Western musical instruments, written by Hector Berlioz. The text was later revised by Richard Strauss in 1904 to include more modern instruments. The book discusses the various technical aspects of instruments, such as chromatic range, tone quality, and limitations. An explanation of the role of particular instruments within the orchestra is also provided.
Instruments discussed
Strings:
Plucked Strings:
Keyboards:
Wind Instruments:
- Oboe
- Oboe d'Amore
- English Horn
- Bassoon
- Tenoroon (Bassoon Quinte)
- Clarinets (including Alto and Bass clarinets)
- Basset-horn
- Flute (alto flute)
- Piccolo
- Serpent
- Russian Bassoon
Brass Instruments:
- French Horn
- Valve Horn
- Trumpet
- Cornet
- Trombones
- Tubas (bass tuba)
- Bugle
- Key Bugle
- Valve Bugle
- Ophicleide (Bass, Alto, Double-Bass
- Bombardon
Voices (Saprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass etc.) Percussion
- Timpani (Kettle Drums)
- Bells
- Glockenspiel
- Glass Harmonica
- Ancient Cymbals
- Bass Drum
- Gong
- Tambourine
- Side Drum
- Tenor Drum
- Triangle
- Crescent
New Instruments (note, this refers to new instruments as of ca. 1850)
- Saxophones
- Saxhorns
- Saxotrombas
- Saxtubas
- Concertina
- Melodium Organ
- Octobass
- Pianos and Melodiums with prolonged sounds
The Orchestra
On Conducting