What happened to instruments during the classical era?

During the classical era, the orchestra became standardized into sections of instruments and increased in size.

Strings

Double basses began to get their own part in compositions instead of playing the bass part with the cellos. Violins had two separate parts in music (violin 1 and violin 2).

Wind

The clarinet became a part of the woodwind section of an orchestra when Haydn used it in his compositions. He also let trumpets have their own part, instead of doubling the horns.

Fortepiano

During the classical era, the harpsichord was replaced by a new instrument called the fortepiano. It used hammers instead of quills to pluck strings and so could play louder. The name fortepiano literally means loud/soft. This achievement greatly influenced classical music. You can hear a lot of dynamic which is loud and soft in music of the classical era.

Violin

Clarinet

fortepiano

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