What is Chamber music?
'''Chamber music''' means [[music]] written for small groups of [[musical instrument|instruments]]. A “[[wikt:chamber|chamber]]” is a “room” (from the French word “chambre”). Usually the word “chamber” in English means a room in a large [[house]] or [[castle]]. In the days when people with big houses or castles kept their own [[musician]]s, they might have their own private [[orchestra]] which played in the large hall. Sometimes there would be a concert in a small chamber. This was called “chamber music”. Chamber music can be any group of instruments from two up to nine. Each player will be playing something different from the others (“one to a part”) unlike an orchestra where there may be many [[violin]]s all playing the same notes. The word “chamber” is also used for a “chamber orchestra” meaning: a small orchestra. By contrast: a large orchestra is often called a “symphony orchestra”. A small choir may be called a “chamber choir”. But these examples are not usually thought of as “chamber music”. == Words for the size of groups == These words are used to show how many people are playing. They can also be used for groups of singers (vocal solo, duet etc.): * a '''[[Solo (music)|solo]]''' is just one player (or singer). This is not usually called chamber music. * a '''[[duet]]''' or '''duo''' is a piece for two instruments. The word “duo” usually means a piece in which the two parts are of equal importance. Violin [[sonata]]s, [[flute]] sonatas etc. usually have [[piano]] [[accompaniment (music)|accompaniment]] but are not normally called “duets”. [[Piano duet]]s are for two players at one piano. * a '''[[Trio (music)|trio]]''' is a piece for three instruments. Piano trios are pieces for piano, violin and [[cello]]. Sometimes trios may be called after one of the instruments, for example: Brahms’ “Horn Trio” is for [[French horn]], violin and piano, not for three horns! * a '''[[quartet]]''' is a piece for four instruments. [[String quartet]]s are the most popular form of chamber music. They are for two vi