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In what order does an orchestra tune and why?

The order in which an orchestra tunes is as follows:

1. Oboe: The oboe is the highest-pitched instrument in the orchestra, and it sets the pitch for the rest of the instruments.

2. Clarinet: The clarinet is the next-highest pitched woodwind instrument, and it tunes to the oboe.

3. Bassoon: The bassoon is the lowest-pitched woodwind instrument, and it tunes to the clarinet.

4. Flutes: The flutes tune to the oboe.

5. Trumpets: The trumpets tune to the oboe.

6. Trombones: The trombones tune to the trumpets.

7. French horns: The French horns tune to the trombones.

8. Tubas: The tubas tune to the French horns.

9. Violins: The violins tune to the oboe.

10. Violas: The violas tune to the violins.

11. Cellos: The cellos tune to the violas.

12. Double basses: The double basses tune to the cellos.

This order is based on the fact that the higher-pitched instruments are more sensitive to changes in pitch, so they need to be tuned first. The lower-pitched instruments are less sensitive to pitch changes, so they can be tuned last.

The orchestra tunes using a tuning fork, which is a metal fork that vibrates at a specific pitch. The oboist plays the pitch from the tuning fork, and then the other instruments tune to that pitch.

Orchestras

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