Denis Loncaric
I remember the overwhelming feeling when I first tried to navigate the vast list of musical instruments. It’s daunting, right? But trust me, by the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer path.
Reading on, you’ll discover the unique characteristics and histories of various instruments, making your choice a tad bit easier.
In a nutshell: Instruments are categorized based on sound production, and each has its unique charm and history.
Let’s start diving into the world of musical instruments together!
Here’s a list of musical instruments grouped by their families:
1. String Instruments (Chordophones)
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Bass)
- Harp
- Mandolin
- Banjo
- Ukulele
- Sitar
- Zither
2. Woodwind Instruments (Aerophones)
- Flute (Piccolo, Alto, Bass)
- Clarinet (Bb, Bass, Contrabass)
- Oboe
- Bassoon (Contrabassoon)
- Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
- Recorder
- Pan Flute
- Bagpipes
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Tuba
- French Horn
- Euphonium
- Bugle
- Cornet
- Flugelhorn
4. Percussion Instruments (Idiophones & Membranophones)
- Drums (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tom-toms, Bongos, Congas)
- Cymbals
- Tambourine
- Maracas
- Xylophone
- Marimba
- Vibraphone
- Timpani
- Triangle
- Gong
- Djembe
- Tabla
5. Keyboard Instruments
- Piano
- Organ (Pipe, Electric)
- Harpsichord
- Accordion
- Synthesizer
- Mellotron
- Clavichord
6. Electronic Instruments
- Theremin
- Electric Guitar
- Bass Guitar
7. Free Reed Instruments
- Harmonica
- Accordion
- Concertina
- Bandoneon
8. Other Instruments
- Bagpipes
- Didgeridoo
- Hurdy-gurdy
- Jaw Harp
String Instruments (Chordophones)
These instruments produce sound through the vibration of strings. The sound’s pitch and timbre are influenced by the string’s length, tension, and thickness.
Examples include guitars, violins, cellos, harps, and double basses. For instance, guitars have bodies and strings that are played by plucking, while violins emit high pitches and possess four strings.
Violin
A versatile instrument, the violin is known for its high-pitched, melodious sound and is a staple in orchestras.
Viola
Slightly larger than the violin, the viola has a deeper, richer sound.
Cello
Played while seated, the cello offers a warm, resonant tone that fills the space between the violin and double bass.
Double Bass
The largest in the string family, the double bass provides the foundational rhythm and harmony in many ensembles.
Guitar
Popular worldwide, the guitar is used in various genres, from rock to classical.
Harp
With its angelic sound, the harp has strings plucked by fingers and is often associated with heavenly music.
Mandolin
A small stringed instrument, the mandolin is known for its bright, ringing sound in folk and bluegrass music.
Banjo
With its distinctive twang, the banjo is a key instrument in bluegrass and country music.
Ukulele
Originating from Hawaii, the ukulele is a small, four-stringed instrument with a cheerful sound.
Sitar
A plucked string instrument from India, the sitar has a unique, resonant tone and is used in classical Indian music.
Zither
A flat wooden instrument with many strings, the zither is played by plucking or strumming.
Woodwind Instruments (Aerophones)
Despite their name, woodwinds can be made from various materials. They produce sound when air is blown through them, with the pitch determined by the length of the air column.
This category includes flutes, oboes, clarinets, and saxophones. The saxophone, interestingly, is made of brass but is classified as a woodwind due to its reed.
Flute
Producing clear, high-pitched tones, the flute is a key woodwind instrument in orchestras and bands.
Clarinet
Known for its warm, woody sound, the clarinet is versatile and used in various music genres.
Oboe
With a reedy, poignant sound, the oboe often plays expressive melodies in orchestras.
Bassoon
This double-reed instrument has a rich, deep sound and provides bass lines in woodwind sections.
Saxophone
Invented by Adolphe Sax, the saxophone is a staple in jazz and popular music.
Recorder
Often introduced to children in schools, the recorder is a simple woodwind instrument with a sweet tone.
Pan Flute
Made of multiple tubes, the pan flute produces a haunting, ethereal sound.
Bagpipes
Known for their distinctive drone, bagpipes are often associated with Scottish and Celtic music.
Trumpet
With its bright, piercing sound, the trumpet often takes the lead in brass sections.
Trombone
Unique with its slide, the trombone has a rich, full sound and is used in various music ensembles.
Tuba
The largest brass instrument, the tuba provides the foundational bass in brass sections.
French Horn
With its coiled tubing and wide bell, the French horn has a mellow, rounded sound.
Euphonium
Often confused with the tuba, the euphonium has a warmer tone and is smaller in size.
Bugle
Known for its use in military calls, the bugle is valveless and has a clear, bright sound.
Cornet
Similar to the trumpet but with a more compact shape, the cornet has a mellower sound.
Flugelhorn
With a darker tone than the trumpet, the flugelhorn is often used in jazz ballads.
Percussion Instruments (Idiophones & Membranophones)
Sound is produced by striking or scraping these instruments. They can be pitched, like xylophones and marimbas, or unpitched, like drums, cymbals, and tambourines.
Check out my full article on drum set parts.
Drums
Ubiquitous across cultures, drums provide rhythm and pulse in music.
Cymbals
Made of metal, cymbals produce a sharp, ringing sound when struck.
Tambourine
A small frame drum with jingles, the tambourine is often used for rhythm in various music genres.
Maracas
Often used in Latin music, maracas are shaken to produce sound.
Xylophone
Made of wooden bars, the xylophone produces a bright, melodic sound when struck.
Marimba
Similar to the xylophone but larger and with a deeper tone.
Vibraphone
A metal-barred instrument with a soft, resonant sound, often used in jazz.
Timpani
Large kettle drums used in orchestras, timpani can be tuned to specific pitches.
Triangle
A simple metal instrument, the triangle produces a clear, ringing sound when struck.
Gong
A large, flat metal disc, the gong produces a deep, resonating sound.
Djembe
A West African drum, the djembe is played with hands and produces a variety of tones.
Tabla
A pair of Indian drums, the tabla is essential in classical Indian music.
Keyboard Instruments
These instruments, such as pianos, organs, and synthesizers, have a keyboard mechanism.
They offer a broad range of notes and unique capabilities. Synthesizers, for instance, generate audio signals through various methods and are often played with keyboards.
Piano
With its wide range and versatility, the piano is one of the most popular and recognizable instruments.
Organ
Often found in churches, the organ produces sound by pushing air through pipes.
Harpsichord
Predecessor to the piano, the harpsichord plucks strings to produce sound.
Accordion
A reed instrument with a keyboard, the accordion is often used in folk music.
Synthesizer
An electronic instrument, the synthesizer can mimic various sounds and create new ones.
Mellotron
An early keyboard that played back tape loops, the mellotron was popular in 1960s rock music.
Clavichord
An early keyboard instrument, the clavichord produces sound by striking strings with metal blades.
Electronic Instruments
Incorporating technology, these instruments, like samplers and synthesizers, require minimal physical effort. Samplers play back sound samples, while synthesizers can mimic various sounds or create new ones.
Theremin
Played without touch, the theremin produces eerie sounds and was one of the first electronic instruments.
Electric Guitar
Amplified by electronics, the electric guitar is a cornerstone of rock music.
Bass Guitar
Providing the low end in rock and pop, the bass guitar is the electric version of the double bass.
Free Reed Instruments
Free reed instruments produce sound through vibrating reeds in a frame, which are operated by either breath or bellows. The sound and pitch are determined by the characteristics of the reeds. These instruments have a rich history, with some like the Jew’s harp and shēng tracing their origins back to ancient times.
Notable examples of free reed instruments include the accordion, concertina, harmoneon, harmonica, harmonium, melodica, and bandoneón.
Harmonica
Small and portable, the harmonica is played by blowing air through it to produce sound.
Concertina
A small, free-reed instrument similar to the accordion but with buttons instead of a keyboard.
Bandoneon
Essential in tango music, the bandoneon is a type of accordion.
Other Instruments
Didgeridoo
An indigenous Australian wind instrument, the didgeridoo produces a deep, droning sound.
Hurdy-gurdy
A stringed instrument played by turning a crank.
Jaw Harp
A small instrument played by plucking a reed while changing mouth shapes to produce different tones.
Zither
A flat wooden instrument with many strings, the zither is played by plucking or strumming.
Wrap Up
In our journey through the world of musical instruments, we’ve explored the rich histories and unique characteristics of each category.
From the resonating strings to the soulful winds, every instrument tells a story. By understanding their nuances, we can make informed choices that resonate with our musical aspirations.
As we conclude, remember that each instrument, no matter how big or small, holds the power to create beautiful melodies and enrich our lives.
By the way if you are in the process of buying any of these instruments check out my free tool to compare musical instrument prices.
My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.
