What instruments are typically in a pit orchestra?

Answer 1

As a music director for musicals and having played in many pits and being an orchestrator of shows myself, I can tell you that the instrumentation in most shows varies from 3 people to 24. Broadway shows of the past, the Richard Rodgers-era, often had very large pits, like this one from "South Pacific":

PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE

FLUTE (Doubling Piccolo)

OBOE (Doubling English Horn)

CLARINET I-II

BASSOON

HORN I-II

HORN III

TRUMPET I-II

TRUMPET III

Trombone I

TROMBONE II

TUBA

PERCUSSION

VIOLIN A (Divisi)

VIOLIN B (Divisi)

VIOLIN C (Divisi)

VIOLIN D (Divisi)

VIOLA (Divisi)

CELLO (Divisi)

DOUBLE BASS

HARP

Today's shows tend to be a little smaller because of the costs of musicians and the use of synthesizers, which has become more wide-spread. Take this orchestration from "Legally Blonde":

3 Woodwind Players (Playing saxophones, flutes, oboes, & clarinets of various types)

2 Trumpets

1 Trombone

French Horn

Drums

Percussion

2 Violins

1 Viola

1 Cello

3 Keyboards

2 Guitars

Bass Guitar

In general, you will find: (in order of occurrence)

Rhythm Section (Keyboards, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Percussion)

Brass

Woodwinds

Strings

Other Instruments (Usually the more esoteric ones - Accordion, Harp, etc.)

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Harps lots of

Chellos lots of

Lot of strings

Symbols

Double base

Piano

Kettle Drums