A total of sixteen cannon shots are written into the score of the Overture .
The 1812 Overture is written for an orchestra which uses following music instruments : Woodwinds 1 Piccolo 2 Flutes 2 Oboes 1 English Horn 2 Clarinets in B-flat 2 Bassoons Brass 4 Horns in F 2 Cornets in B-flat 2 Trumpets in E-flat 3 Trombones 1 Tuba Percussion Timpani Bass Drum Snare Drum Cymbals Tambourine Triangle Carillon Cannon Brass Band Strings Violins I , II Violas Violoncellos Double basses Sixteen cannon shots are written into the score of the Overture .