While timbre deals with the difference in sound that individual instruments make, a tone is a specific pitch played by any instrument or combination of instruments. The timbre in music will change the quality of the tone. For instance, a trumpet will have a very penetrating sound, while a flute playing the same tone may have a softer, less intrusive sound. Instruments in an orchestra often combine to create unique timbres that affect a selection of music by altering the intent of the tone. Whether it is malicious, foreboding, sweet or sublime.
Volume is the measure of loudness in a composition. Volume is measured with decibel readings; the higher the number, the louder the music. The timbre changes the selection of music in relationship to the volume. Trumpets played loudly will alter the timbre and create a brassier, more forceful selection of music. Meanwhile, a clarinet playing loudly may sound shrill and create an aura of suspense and impending doom. The degree to which timbre will affect the volume is directly related to how each instrument responds at a given volume. The volume aspect of timbre directly affects a selection of music by changing the perception of a musical passage, whether it is loud or soft.
Range is an aspect of timbre that affects the general highness or lowness of a pitch. Each instrument responds different as it goes through its range. A trumpet playing in the highest portion of the range will sound brilliant and penetrating. A string instrument will sound thin and shimmering. The choice of instrument directly affects the timbre and the effect produced by differing musical registers. This can have a dramatic influence on a musical passage. Changing a string passage to trumpets will create a much stronger, brassier and less connected sound. This aspect of timbre requires careful consideration by the composer or orchestrator.
Solo selections can be altered by the choice of timbre. In "Peter and the Wolf," composer Sergei Prokofiev uses solo instrument timbres to attribute specific meanings to individual passages. The timbre of the flute is used to indicate a bird. Imagine if Prokofiev chose an instrument other than the flute to indicate the bird. It wouldn't make sense for the passages that demanded a light and airy timbre. Each character in the piece is indicated by a specific instrument timbre or combination of instrument timbres. This affects selections of music within the piece through use of specific timbres.