Can anyone advise me on which instruments are considered to be standard orchestral instruments as determined in the Grade 5 Theory syllabus? I had one clever student today who gave the harp as an answer to a question regarding ranges. I personally would not say that this is a standard orchestral instrument but it is listed in Theory is Fun Grade 5 book. Can anyone recommend a good reference book for this sort of thing - I don't actually find the ABRSM workbooks give enough detail on this subject. Likewise would a piccolo be allowed in the exam as the highest woodwind instrument?

Cheers

I have a sheet with the standard orchestral instruments and their ranges which I give my students. Send me your email address if you want me to send it to you, mine is below - click the yahoo thing! The harp is definitely not a standard orchestral instrument although its listed with the strings. The piccolo is more common but I'm not sure if its a permanent orchestral instrument - as its usually played by a flautist when required by the score. No doubt I'll be corrected on that.

"At-a-glance Guide INSTRUMENT RANGES" published by Kevin Mayhew, a 16 page booklet,

from all good music shops..........(I assume it's still printed)

Was £1.95.

Includes harp!

Hello there. I have been using sections about standard orchestral instruments from the following books -: Theory Is Fun Grades 4 and 5 by Maureen Cox. Also Pass Your Grade 6 And Above by Margaret Huntington which can be purchased from the author (if you require more details about this one drop me a line). I have found all of these books to be a very good good source of information as they move straight to the point without having to wade through material that is not required.

Thanks for the info - I would be interested in details of the Margaret Huntington book you mentioned as I would like to take Grade 6 theory (I have decided to go for my teaching diploma!). However I still haven't got a satisfactory answer regarding which instruments would be acceptable on the Grade 5 paper -perhaps I should contact the Board directly.

Cheers

I recently picked up Margaret Huntington's book in a second-hand bookshop cos I thought it looked quite good - is it still valid for the syllabus does anyone know, and does anyone have any other views on it?