how many musicians does it take?

[pianohopper]

How many violinists, cellists, violists, bassists, etc.,  would it take to create a sufficient string section for a symphony orchestra?

Brass & woodwind shouldn't be that hard, but strings is a toughie.  20 violins?  10 cellos?

[rob47]

IN rimsky korsakov's orchestration book he suggests

                   Small Orchestra                    Medium Orchestra       Large Orchestra
Violins I ............. 8                                        12                                  16
   "  "   II .............6                                        10                                  14
Violas .................4                                           8                                 12
Cellos .................3                                           6                                 10
Double Basses....2 - 3                                   4 - 6                              8 - 10


enjoy my attempt at some sort of table

[Dazzer]

i was expecting a "to change a lightbulb"

[pianohopper]

i was expecting a "to change a lightbulb"

It can be arranged!  Read on:

How many musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Five.  One to change the lightbulb and four to stand around saying, "Man, if I'd had his studio time, I could have done that."


How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?
That's not funny.

Do you know how many musicians it takes to change a lightbulb? 
No, but hum a few bars and I'll fake it.

---or----

Twenty.  One to hold the lightbulb, two to turn the ladder, and seventeen in on the guest list.    (I don't get this one.)

---or---

5, one to change the bulb and 4 to get in free because they know the guy who owns the socket.


How many jazz musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
21.  One to change the lightbulb, and 20 to agree that Duke Ellington did it a lot better.

---or---

Don't worry about the changes.  I'll just fake it.

How many musicians does it take to change a lightbulb?
None.  Musicians can't afford lightbulbs.