What types of instruments are used in these century's?

Question

What instruments are used in:

the classical period
the early romantic
the late romantic (Beethoven)
the modern music

Thanks

Answer 1

If you mean orchestral instruments, then there isn't a huge difference.
Lets start with the classical orchestra

Original,
Sometimes 2 flutes,
Sometimes 2 clarinets
Mostly, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 french horns,
Sometimes 2 trumpets
In opera 3 trombones
timpani,
string quintet. (Although multiple players are used)

In the classical period, the exact instruments used depended largely on the available instruments. Music used to be written for Kings, Bishops and all kinds of Nobleman that used to have some kind of orchestra. There could be quit a difference in availability of instruments.
In early days, one could still find the cembalo in the orchestra.
Look at Symphonies by Mozart and Haydn and compare the instruments being used.

In the early romantic the instruments of the orchestra were largely the same as now.
2 flutes
2 oboes,
2 clarinets,
2 bassoons
4 french-horns
2 trumpets
3 trombones
Sometimes 1 Tuba
Timpani
Strings (Same as classical, but larger numbers)

The late romantic (That is NOT Beethoven) used
Up to 3 or 4 flutes (with piccolo)
Up to 3 or 4 oboes (with Alto oboe)
up to 3 or 4 clarinets (with Bass Clarinet)
Up to 3 or 4 bassoons (With contra-Bassoon)

Up to 8 Horns (With Wagner Tuba's)
Up to 6 Trumpets (Mostly 3)
Up to 4 Trombones (Including Bass trombone)
Tuba

Timpani
Several kinds of drums
Melodic Percussion. (Xylophone etc)
Tam-tam


Strings (Same as Romantic, but larger numbers and more divided)
Brass and Woodwinds are used much more as leading instruments with strings as 'figuration' then before.

Strangely enough, in Modern music, the situation is almost as in the early days. Any combination of instruments is used. So all the instruments from the orchestra in any numbers and combinations.
Sometimes exotic instruments are used. Electronic instruments, tapes etc. In general, everything that is capable of producing sound can be used as an instrument.

One last remark,
Beethoven wasn't a late romantic (2nd half of the 19th century) , but a classical composer that build ed a bridge between classical and romantic music. He lived from 1770 to 1827 so he can't possibly be a late-romantic composer

Hope this helps a bit

Answer 2

Seeing that both principles are still used today, the first one for more of a remote sensing station and the second for immediate visual knowledge. The thermometer is still in use today so its accuracy is close enough for our range of temperatures of what matters to us. I still use both types ( bimetal and mercury/and red alcohol) and don't doubt the accuracy....as it needs not be right on as it is air temperature. And it gives me a relative idea to the change and which way it is heading. If they have equipment today that tells me the sun is 73 quadzillion degrees - what do I care....and can they prove it? I know it is hot in the summer months when it is 90F Or that on the backside of the moon it is 23trillion degrees cold, or winter gets down to -90F in Antartica(give or take 10 - I am a frozen cookie anyways) hey it is cold when it is 10F and that again is good enough for me. So it is all relative. Electronic devices are no smarter as they have to match those devices in order to be calibrated correctly.

Answer 3

See my answer on the history board. I'm not repeating myself.