The 18th century symphony orchestra

During the lifetime of Beethoven the size of the orchestra increased to 35-40 players.

The basso continuo fell out of use and the keyboard instrument dropped out, which led to greater independence in the string parts, which now had to fill in the harmony, unassisted.

The double basses play the cello part an octave lower.

While the trumpets became standard in the orchestra early in the 18th century and the French horns were fully accepted by 1750, the flutes were established as regular orchestra members, playing together with the oboes, only late in the 18th century.

In the late works of Haydn and Mozart, orchestra was standardized, with pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, French horns, trumpets, and kettledrums.

The newly invented clarinets first appeared as a replacement for the oboes.

The woodwinds and brass instruments could now provide desired changes of color by carrying the melody. Each pair of woodwinds usually played different musical parts)

A fashion of imitating Turkish military bands introduced the triangle, cymbals, and bass drum.