Score order of instruments

In an orchestral score, the order in which the instrumental lines are usually printed is:

• woodwind at the top (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and any other special woodwind),
• brass (French horn, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and low brass such as tuba),
• percussion (claves, tambourine, bass drum, xylophone, etc.),

1. What order do instruments go on a score?
2. What is a score order?
3. How are instruments grouped on a score?
4. How do you order percussion instruments in a score?

What order do instruments go on a score?

The order of instruments as they appear in the score is always the same, with woodwind instruments at the top of the page in order from high to low, then the brass. The instruments are identified, usually in Italian (as in this example), German or French.

What is a score order?

Score Order: the order in which the multiple instruments of an ensemble are laid out on a piece of music.
...

• Flute.
• Clarinet.
• Alto Saxophone.
• Trumpets.
• Horns.
• Low Brass / Woodwinds (these lines would be the same for both low saxophones, low clarinets, trombones, and euphoniums)
• Tuba.
• Percussion.

How are instruments grouped on a score?

in orchestral scores, braces group lines played by related instruments - e.g. flute(s) and piccolo; bar lines are drawn through the instrumental lines belonging to those in the same section; ... The convention is that higher-pitched instruments or voices are usually placed higher on the page than lower-pitched parts.

How do you order percussion instruments in a score?

The percussion section is usually grouped by player, with the instruments following a logical arrangement from high at the top to low at the bottom of each group. Here we see three percussionists and a timpanist. Timpani parts are usually placed at the top of the percussion section.