Sounds of the Orchestra Review

Sounds of the Orchestra is a fun educational app which introduces children and adults to the instruments one may find in an orchestra. There is much to explore here including a section to "play" which includes an instrument-themed "memory" style game where the player flips over cards to find matches incorporating both the images and sounds of each instrument. There is also an informative "learn" section where you can read descriptions of these instruments as well as a "listen" section, featuring a sound board as well as a quiz to see how good your ear has become.

I especially like the way the instruments are laid out in the "learn" section as you would find in any orchestra, and are grouped into four basic sections, Percussion, Brass, Woodwinds and Strings all to be tapped. I also appreciate how you have the chance to hear classical music being played, for example using just Woodwinds, or Strings to get a feel for the basic sounds these instruments make, while being able to then tap each instrument in their section to read a concise and informative description as well.

Connoisseurs of classical music may find the sounds of the instruments from the sound board in the "learning" section less than perfect, but I think they sound good, and I have enjoyed hearing the difference between instruments like clarinet, oboe and bassoon. We enjoy playing the listening game as well. I do wonder if having the choice of listening to the same music samples for each instrument would be helpful, and I wish this option was available for times when I really want to focus on hearing differences or similarities of each instrument. I also wish the classical pieces sampled were given credit so I could tell my son what he was listening to when he asks. I find many of the pieces familiar from "Bugs Bunny" but I regret that I do not know most of their proper names. All in all, a fun an informative app that we both enjoy.