* Woodwinds: 3 flutes (2nd and 3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-flat, 1 bass clarinet in B-flat, 3 bassoons (3rd doubling contrabassoon)
* Brass: 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in B-flat, 3 trombones (2 tenor, 1 bass), 1 tuba
* Percussion: timpani, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, gong
* Strings: violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, double basses
* Other: organ
In addition to the traditional orchestra, Wagner also uses two offstage brass choirs in two of the acts. These brass choirs are composed of 4 trumpets and 4 trombones each.
The instrumentation of Die Meistersinger is rich and varied, and Wagner uses it to create a wide range of musical effects. The opera's overture is one of the most famous pieces of music in the world, and it is a masterclass in orchestration.