Which of the following is NOT one of the four families of instruments in the orchestra?

The correct answer is the piano, as it does not belong to the four main families of instruments typically recognized in the orchestra, which are strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

While the piano is an important musical instrument and is widely used in various genres, it is classified as a keyboard instrument rather than fitting neatly into any of the four orchestral families. In an orchestral setting, the strings consist of instruments like violins and cellos, brass includes trumpets and trombones, woodwinds encompass flutes and clarinets, and percussion features drums and cymbals.

In contrast, the piano operates differently, as it produces sound through hammers striking strings, but it does not align with the categorized orchestral family structure. Understanding these classifications is essential for recognizing how instruments interact within an orchestral performance.