- String Section: This is the largest section and includes violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
- Woodwind Section: This section typically consists of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, and sometimes saxophones.
- Brass Section: This section includes trumpets, trombones, French horns, and tubas.
- Percussion Section: This section includes various instruments like timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, chimes, xylophone, triangle, and more.
In addition to these main sections, some orchestras may also include a harp, a piano, and occasionally other instruments like the English horn or piccolo. The conductor may also choose to incorporate other instruments for specific compositions, such as a synthesizer or electric guitar.
The total number of instruments in a symphony orchestra can range from around 50 to over 100, depending on the size and scope of the orchestra and the chosen repertoire.