COMMA SPLICES (SPLICES) EXERCISE #2 
 
__S___ 1.  Being part of an orchestra is interesting, and the experience is exciting. 
 
__S___ 2. Orchestras are large groups of musicians who play together under the direction of a 
conductor; sometimes, the conductor is also a composer. 
 
__S___ 3. Orchestras are composed of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Orchestras may also 
contain more contemporary instruments such as guitars, electric bass, and synthesizers. 
 
__S___ 4. Under the direction of a conductor, an orchestra is different from a concert band; concert 
bands often contain only woodwinds, brass, and percussion. 
 
__S___ 5. Orchestras have strings; that is key to knowing the different. 
 
__S___ 6. Orchestras often have lines or tiers of players. For example, violinists may be tiered into "first 
violinists" and "second violinists." 
 
__S___ 7. First violinists often play more melodic parts, while second violinists often play more harmonic 
parts (that is, parts of the chord rather than the notes of the melody).  
 
__C___ 8. The melody contains the main theme, and the harmony contains support elements which help 
to make the melody sound more full. 
 
__C___ 9. In addition to tiers or lines, orchestras may also have "chair" assignments. 
 
__S___ 10. "Chair" assignments help to distinguish different harmonic parts between players; these 
assignments may help to divide a chord among a group of players. 
 
__S___ 11.  For example, a trumpet section may be divided into "First Chair," "Second Chair," and Third 
Chair" trumpeters; essentially, this refers to the each person taking a part of the chord.  
 
__S___ 12.  Usually, a "First Chair" trumpeter will take a higher note, while the others will take the middle 
and lower notes of a chord. 
 
__C___ 13. This organization is found throughout the orchestra, since many compositions divide the 
harmonies and melodies. 
 
__S___ 14. Orchestras play many traditional pieces; however, they may play many contemporary pieces 
of music as well. 
 
__S___ 15. As noted, sometimes a conductor may compose a piece for the orchestra, then the orchestra 
simply gives the music life. 
 
__S___ 16. Next time you go to an orchestral concert, watch the players carefully. You will notice that 
while the players seem to play the same parts, they are actually playing very different parts.