A symphony is an orchestra's large-scale musical composition, usually requiring 50-80 instruments. Symphonies refer to the music, not the musicians performing it, and similar to stage plays, they may have several movements or acts of, often complex, elaborate classical music.

A symphony is made up of four sections called movements. Each movement follows its own structure or format. The first uses a quick tempo and follows sonata-allegro form; the second is slower and more lyrical; the third is a minuet or scherzo and the final movement often uses sonata-allegro form.

Wind instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoons. String instruments include harp, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Percussion instruments include timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, celesta and piano. Brass instruments are made up of French horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba.

It is also widely used in orchestral music, but even today less so than the other members of the woodwind section.