A musical composition for four instruments or four singers.
Although any group of four performers can be called a quartet, traditionally the word "Quartet" mainly refered to String Quartet (consisting of two violins, viola, and cello).
Other examples of "Quartets" include Piano Quartet, Flute Quartet, Oboe Quartet... Traditionally, various "Quartets" are comprised of a String Trio (violin, viola, cello) with an instrument that is not part of the string family.
In addition, "Quartet" can also be used to refer various combinations of mixed instruments, such as woodwind quartets, brass quartets, and vocal quartets.
Ensemble | Setting |
Duet | 2 musicians |
Trio | 3 musicians |
Quartet | 4 musicians |
Quintet | 5 musicians |
Sextet | 6 musicians |
Septet | 7 musicians |
Octet | 8 musicians |
String Orchestra | Group of strings |
Wind Band | Group of woodwinds, brass, percussion |
Brass Band | Group of brass, percussion |
Percussion Band | Group of percussion |
Orchestra | Group of strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion |
Choir | Group of different parts of human voices |
Jiangnan Sizhu | Group of Chinese strings and winds |
Chinese Orchestra | Group of Chinese instruments |
Writer: Frankie Chan