The Ultimate A-to-Z Guide to Musical Instruments

The Ultimate A-to-Z Guide to Musical Instruments

This is a list of musical instruments known around the world. Over time, we will add sound files and a short history for each instrument.

Guide to the Musical Instrument List

• The Accordion is a free-reed instrument that originated in Europe. It is commonly used in folk and classical music.
• The Acoustic Bass Guitar is a bass guitar with a hollow body that produces sound acoustically.
• The Acoustic Guitar is a string instrument that generates sound acoustically without the need for electronic amplification.
• The Aeolian Harp is a stringed instrument that is played by the wind. It is named after Aeolus, the Greek god of wind.
• The Agung a Tamlang, also known as the Philippine slit drum, is a traditional percussion instrument from the Philippines.
• The Agung is a set of large, deep-rimmed gongs used in traditional Filipino music.
• The Ahoko, an Ivory Coast rattle, is a percussion instrument from West Africa. It is commonly used in cultural and traditional ceremonies.
• The Ajaeng is a traditional Korean bowed zither made of paulownia wood.
• The Alboka, a Spanish double hornpipe, is a traditional Basque wind instrument that resembles a clarinet.
• The Alphorn is a long wooden wind instrument from the Swiss Alps, often used for signaling and folk music.
• The Alpine Bell is a cowbell commonly used in folk music, particularly in the Alpine regions.

Musical Instrument List Continued

• The Alto Clarinet is a lower-pitched clarinet that is frequently used in orchestras and bands.
• The Alto Flute is larger and lower-pitched compared to the concert flute. It has a warm and rich tone.
• The Alto Horn is a brass instrument that is commonly played in brass bands.
• The Alto Sarrusophone is a double-reed brass instrument that is similar to the saxophone.
• The Alto Saxophone is a medium-sized saxophone that is pitched in E♭. It is widely used in jazz and classical music.
• The Angklung is a musical instrument made of bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. Originating from Indonesia, it is also known as a tuned bamboo slide rattle.
• The Appalachian Dulcimer is a stringed folk instrument that comes from the Appalachian region of the United States.
• The Archlute is a European plucked string instrument that was developed around 1600. It is also referred to as the archilaúd.
• The Arghul, known as the Arabic double pipe, is a traditional Middle Eastern wind instrument similar to a clarinet.
• The Arpa Nottolini, an Italian hooked harp, is a historical Italian harp with hooks that allow the pitch to be changed.
• The Arpeggione, also called the Italian six-string, is a bowed string instrument with frets. It was invented in the 19th century.
• The Array Mbira, an African thumb piano, is a large thumb piano with multiple octaves. It is derived from traditional African mbira instruments.
• The Aulochrome, a double soprano saxophone, is a modern woodwind instrument that allows two different notes to be played simultaneously.

Guide to the Musical Instruments from Around the World

• Babendil – Philippine gong.
• Bağlama/Saz – Turkish stringed instrument.
• Balafon – Xylophone from Ghana.
• Balalaika – Central Asian guitar with 2 or 3 strings.
• Bandola – Plucked lute from Cuba, Chile, and Peru.
• Bandoneón – Argentinian concertina.
• Bandurria – Spanish/Latin American plucked lute.
• Banhu – Chinese bowed string instrument.
• Banjo – Stringed instrument with a circular body.
• Barbat – Iranian plucked lute.
• Baritone Horn – Brass instrument with a deep tone.
• Baritone Sarrusophone – Large, double-reed brass instrument.
• Baritone Saxophone – Deep-toned member of the saxophone family.
• Baroque Wooden Flute – Historical wooden flute from the Baroque period.
• Baryton – German euphonium.
• Bass Clarinet – A deep-sounding member of the clarinet family.
• Bass Drum – Large, deep-pitched drum.
• Bass Flute – Large, low-register flute.
• Bass Guitar – Low-pitched string instrument.
• Bass Sarrusophone – Large, brass double-reed instrument.
• Bass Saxophone – Lower-pitched saxophone variant.
• Bass/Baritone Oboe – Deep-toned member of the oboe family.
• Basse à Pistons – French euphonium.
• Basse Cor – French low-pitched horn.
• Basset Clarinet – A longer-range clarinet.
• Basset Horn – A type of alto clarinet.
• Bassoon – Large, double-reed woodwind instrument.
• Bawu – Chinese flute-like wind instrument.
• Bayan – Russian accordion.
• Bazooka – Brass instrument made from telescopic tubing.
• Bell – Percussion instrument producing resonant tones.
• Berimbau – Brazilian musical bow used in capoeira.
• Bianqing – Chinese stone chimes.
• Bianzhong – Chinese bronze bells.
• Bifora – Sicilian oboe.
• Biniou – French bagpipe.
• Biwa – Japanese short-necked lute.
• Bock – German bagpipes.
• Bodega – French bagpipe.
• Bodhrán – Irish frame drum.
• Boha – French bagpipe.
• Bombarde – Breton double-reed instrument.
• Bombardino – Spanish euphonium.
• Bongo Drums – Small, high-pitched hand drums.
• Border Pipe/Lowland Bagpipe – Scottish bagpipes with a softer tone.
• Bordonua – Puerto Rican bass guitar.
• Bouzouki – Greek long-necked lute.
• Brian Boru Bagpipes – Irish bagpipes with a chanter.
• Bullroarer – Ancient whirring instrument.
• Button Accordion – Accordion with button keys.

The Musical Instruments from Around the World Continued

• Cabrette – French bagpipe.
• Calliope – Steam-powered organ.
• Carillon – Dutch harmonizing bell set.
• Castanets – Hand-held percussion instruments.
• Cavaco – Small Spanish guitar.
• Cavaquinho – Portuguese small guitar.
• Caxixi – Brazilian shaker instrument.
• Celesta – Parisian keyboard idiophone invented in 1886.
• Cello – Large bowed string instrument.
• Ceng – Turkish harp.
• Chabrette – French bagpipe.
• Chapman Stick – Multi-stringed tapping instrument.
• Charango – Small South American fretted lute.
• Chenda – Indian drum.
• Chi – Chinese transverse flute.
• Chimes – Set of tuned metal tubes struck for sound.
• Ching – Cambodian/Thai finger cymbals.
• Chitarrone – Large, lower-toned lute.
• Chitarra Battente – Italian guitar.
• Chromatic Accordion – Button-based accordion.
• Cigar Box Guitar – Handmade stringed instrument.
• Cimbalom – Eastern European hammered dulcimer.
• Cimbasso – Low brass instrument.
• Cimpoi – Romanian bagpipe.
• Cittern – Renaissance-era lute.
• Clapped Hands – Percussion using the hands.
• Clarinet – Single-reed woodwind instrument.
• Clarinette d’amour – Historical clarinet variant.
• Classical Guitar – Nylon-stringed guitar.
• Clavicembalo – an Italian early keyboard instrument.
• Clavichord – European stringed keyboard.
• Concertina – Small, hexagonal accordion.

Guide to the Musical Instruments from Around the World Continued

• Conch – Seashell horn.
• Conga – Tall, Afro-Cuban drum.
• Contra-Alto Clarinet – Very low-pitched clarinet.
• Contra-Alto Flute – Large, deep flute.
• Contrabass Oboe – Very deep-toned oboe.
• Contrabass Clarinet – Extra-low clarinet.
• Contrabass Saxophone – Deepest member of the sax family.
• Cornet/Cornetto/Zink – Early brass or woodwind instrument.
• Cowbell – Percussion instrument.
• Cromorne – Medieval double-reed instrument.
• Crumhorn – Renaissance-era wind instrument.
• Crwth – Welsh bowed lyre.
• Cuatro – Latin American lute.
• Cuíca – Brazilian friction drum.
• Cymbals – Various percussion cymbals, including crash, hi-hat, and ride.

The Musical Instruments from Around the World Continued

• Dabakan – Philippine drum.
• Dahulu – Chinese bowed string instrument.
• Daiko – Large Japanese drum.
• Darabukka/Darbuka – Middle Eastern goblet drum.
• Dhol – Iranian double-headed drum.
• Didgeridoo – Aboriginal natural trumpet.
• Djembe – West African hand drum.
• Domra – Russian mandolin.
• Dotara – Bass ektara.
• Double Bass – Large bowed string instrument.
• Duduk – Armenian double-reed woodwind.
• Dulcian – Pre-1700s European bassoon.
• Dulcimer – Hammered or plucked zither.
• Dun Dun – West African talking drum.
• Electric Guitar – Amplified stringed instrument.
• Electric Organ – Electronic keyboard organ.
• Erhu – Chinese bowed violin-like instrument.
• Euphonium – Large brass instrument.
• Flugelhorn – Mellow-toned brass instrument.
• Flute – Woodwind instrument.
• French Horn – The brass instrument with a coiled tube.
• Gamelan – Indonesian percussion ensemble.
• Gaohu – Chinese bowed string instrument.
• Gayageum – Korean zither.
• Glockenspiel – Tuned metal bars struck with mallets.
• Gong – Large, resonant metal percussion instrument.
• Guqin – Chinese plucked zither.
• Harp – Stringed instrument with a resonator.
• Hurdy-Gurdy – Stringed instrument played with a crank.
• Kora – West African harp-lute.
• Koto – Japanese long zither.
• Mandolin – Small, fretted lute.
• Marimba – Wooden xylophone.
• Oboe – Double-reed woodwind.
• Ocarina – Small, ceramic flute.
• Piano – Keyboard percussion instrument.

Musical Instruments List continued

Flutes & Wind Instruments

• Paixiao – Chinese pan flute
• Palendang – Traditional Philippine flute
• Pan Pipes – Multiple pipes arranged in a row, commonly used in Andean music
• Pastoral Pipes – Traditional folk instrument resembling a small bagpipe
• Piccolo – A small, high-pitched flute
• Piccolo Clarinet – A smaller, higher-pitched version of the clarinet
• Piccolo Heckelphone – A rare woodwind instrument related to the oboe
• Piccolo Oboe – A high-pitched oboe
• Pulalu – Philippine bamboo flute
• Quena – Andean end-blown flute
• Reed Pipe – A simple wind instrument with a vibrating reed
• Roman Tuba – An ancient Roman brass instrument
• Ryuteki – Japanese transverse flute
• Saenghwang – Korean mouth organ
• Serunai – A traditional Islamic reed instrument
• Shinobue – Japanese transverse bamboo flute
• Shofar – A traditional Jewish ceremonial horn
• Suling – Indonesian and Philippine bamboo flute
• Suona – Chinese double-reed wind instrument
• Tumpong – Philippine flute
• Transverse Flute – Traditional side-blown flute
• Washint – Ethiopian end-blown flute
• Whistle – A small wind instrument producing a high-pitched sound
• Willow Flute – A Scandinavian folk flute
• Xiao – Traditional Chinese vertical flute
• Xun – Ancient Chinese ocarina-like flute
• Zufalo – Italian flute

Stringed Instruments

• Pipa – Chinese plucked lute
• Qanun – Turkish trapezoidal zither
• Rebab – Arabic bowed string instrument
• Rebec – A medieval European bowed instrument
• Ruan – Chinese plucked string instrument
• Rudra Veena – Indian plucked string instrument
• Sallaneh – Iranian string instrument
• Sanxian – Chinese three-stringed lute
• Saraswati Veena – South Indian plucked lute
• Setar – Iranian lute
• Shamisen – Japanese three-stringed instrument
• Sihu – Chinese bowed string instrument
• Sitar – South Asian plucked string instrument
• Tar – Persian long-necked lute
• Theorbo – Large lute with an extended neck
• Tiple – Small stringed instrument from the Canary Islands
• Tromba Marina – European single-string instrument
• Ud/Oud – Arabic fretless lute
• Valiha – Madagascan zither
• Vichitra Veena – Indian plucked string instrument
• Vielle – Medieval French bowed string instrument
• Vihuela – Spanish guitar-like instrument
• Viola d’amore – Bowed string instrument similar to the viola
• Viola da gamba – Early bowed string instrument
• Violotta – Hybrid viola-cello instrument
• Yazheng – Chinese zither
• Yehu – Chinese bowed string instrument
• Zheng – Chinese zither
• Zhongdihu – Bass erhu from China
• Zhuihu – Chinese bowed string instrument
• Zither – Plucked or hammered stringed instrument

Brass & Reed Instruments

• Quinticlave – Early brass instrument related to the ophicleide
• Sarrusophone – The brass instrument with a double reed
• Saxhorn – Brass instrument similar to the tuba
• Saxonette – Hybrid between a saxophone and clarinet
• Saxophone – Brass woodwind instrument
• Serpent – Historical wind instrument with a deep sound
• Shawm – Renaissance oboe
• Sousaphone – Large marching band brass instrument
• Tárogató – Hungarian woodwind instrument similar to a clarinet
• Tenor Horn – Medium-sized brass instrument
• Trumpet – High-pitched brass instrument
• Tuba – Large brass instrument with deep tones
• Wagner Tuba – Hybrid between a French horn and a tuba

Percussion Instruments

• Pipe Organ – Large instrument with multiple pipes producing sound via air pressure
• Psaltery – Plucked zither from medieval times
• Rainstick – Hollow tube filled with small objects to create rain-like sounds
• Rattle – Percussion instrument producing rhythmic sounds when shaken
• Riq (Riqq/Rik) – Arabic tambourine
• Sabar – Senegalese drum
• Sac de Gemecs – Catalonian bagpipe
• Sampho – Cambodian double-headed drum
• Sang-auk – Burmese harp
• Santur – North Indian hammered zither
• Sarunay/Saronai – Philippine metallophone
• Saung – Burmese arched harp
• Sleigh Bells – Cluster of small bells producing jingling sounds
• Slit Drum – Hollowed wooden drum producing different pitches
• Snare Drum – Drum with metal wires producing a sharp sound
• Steel Drum – Percussion instrument from Trinidad and Tobago
• Tabla – Indian/Pakistani drum set
• Talking Drum – Drum capable of imitating human speech patterns
• Tambourine – Percussion instrument with jingles
• Timpani/Kettle Drum – Large, tunable orchestral drum
• Triangle – Small metal instrument producing a high-pitched ringing sound
• Tom-Tom – Cylindrical drum used in drum sets
• Tsuri-daiko – Japanese hanging drum
• Tubular Bells – Chime-like percussion instrument

Bagpipes & Reed Instruments

• Piva – Northern Italian bagpipe
• Säckpipa – Swedish bagpipe
• Schweizer Sackpfeife – Swiss bagpipe
• Scottish Smallpipes – Traditional Scottish bagpipes
• Tsampouna – Greek bagpipe
• Tulum – Turkish bagpipe
• Veuze – French bagpipe
• Volinka – Russian bagpipe
• Zampogna – Italian bagpipe
• Zaqq – Maltese bagpipe

Keyboard & Electronic Instruments

• Piano – Versatile keyboard instrument
• Harpsichord – Baroque-era keyboard instrument
• Synthesizer – Electronic instrument capable of creating various sounds
• Sampler – Digital instrument for playing recorded sounds
• Synclavier – Early digital synthesizer and sampler

Other Unique Instruments

• Slide Guitar – Guitar played with a slide for a gliding sound
• Slide Whistle – Whistle with a sliding pitch
• Siren – Mechanical instrument producing loud wailing sounds
• Spoons – Folk percussion instrument played by striking metal spoons together
• Steel Guitar – Guitar played by plucking and sliding
• Theremin – Touchless electronic instrument controlled by hand movements
• Turntables – Used as a musical instrument in DJing
• Washtub Bass – DIY stringed bass instrument
• Wind Chimes – Hanging metal or wooden tubes producing soft melodies when struck by the wind
• Whip – Produces a cracking sound when swung
• Xalam/Khalam – A traditional West African stringed instrument similar to a banjo.
• Xiao – A vertical Chinese flute made of bamboo, known for its soft, melancholic sound.
• Xiaodihu – A tenor version of the erhu, a Chinese bowed string instrument.
• Xun – A Chinese globular flute made of clay or ceramic, producing a deep, haunting tone.
• Xylophone – A percussion instrument consisting of wooden bars struck with mallets.
• Xylorimba – A hybrid instrument combining features of the xylophone and marimba, offering an extended range.

Unique Instruments continued

• Yangqin – A Chinese hammered dulcimer played with bamboo mallets.
• Yaylı Tanbur – A Turkish bowed lute with a long neck, producing a deep and resonant sound.
• Yazheng – A Chinese plucked zither with a history dating back to ancient times.
• Yehu – A Chinese bowed string instrument similar to the erhu, with a coconut-shell body.
• Yu – Traditional Chinese bamboo pipes used in ancient ceremonial music.
• Yueqin – A Chinese moon-shaped lute with a short neck and four strings.
• Yunluo – A Chinese percussion instrument consisting of a set of small gongs mounted in a frame.
• Zampogna – An Italian double-chartered bagpipe played in folk music traditions.
• Zaqq – A traditional Maltese bagpipe with a reedy, droning sound.
• Zhongdihu – A bass version of the erhu, providing a deep and rich tonal quality.
• Zhuihu – A Chinese bowed string instrument similar to the erhu but with a deeper sound.
• Zither – A stringed instrument played by plucking or strumming, found in various cultures worldwide.
• Zonghu – A Chinese bowed string instrument with a rich and mellow sound.
• Zufolo – A small Italian fipple flute, similar to a recorder.
• Zurna – A Turkish double-reed wind instrument known for its loud, piercing sound.

List of Musical Instruments with Descriptions and Sound Files

String Instruments

1. Violin
   • Description: A bowed string instrument with four strings, is commonly used in classical music.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
2. Guitar
   • Description: A fretted string instrument with six strings, used in various musical genres.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
3. Cello
   • Description: A large bowed string instrument with a deep, rich tone.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]

Wind Instruments

1. Flute
   • Description: A woodwind instrument that produces sound from the flow of air across an opening.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
2. Clarinet
   • Description: A woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece and cylindrical bore.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
3. Saxophone
   • Description: A brass instrument commonly used in jazz and classical music.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]

Percussion Instruments

1. Drums
   • Description: A percussion instrument that produces sound by striking a drumhead with sticks or hands.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
2. Xylophone
   • Description: A percussion instrument consisting of wooden bars struck with mallets.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
3. Tambourine
   • Description: A percussion instrument with jingles, often used in folk and pop music.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]

Keyboard Instruments

1. Piano
   • Description: A versatile keyboard instrument with hammers striking strings to produce sound.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
2. Organ
   • Description: A keyboard instrument that produces sound by forcing air through pipes or using electronic means.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
3. Synthesizer
   • Description: An electronic instrument that generates and modifies sound.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]

Brass Instruments

1. Trumpet
   • Description: A brass instrument known for its bright, powerful sound.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
2. Trombone
   • Description: A brass instrument with a sliding mechanism to change pitch.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]
3. French Horn
   • Description: A brass instrument with a coiled tube and mellow tone.
   • Sound: [Placeholder for sound file]

The Bottom Line: Guide to the A-to-Z Guide to Musical Instruments

This guide explores a diverse range of musical instruments from A to Z.

Beginning with stringed and plucked instruments like the Xalam and Xiao, it moves on to bowed varieties such as the Xiaodihu and Yehu. Additionally, wind instruments, including the Xun and Zufalo, add to the collection.

Moreover, percussion instruments like the Xylophone and Zither bring rhythmic diversity. Finally, unique regional instruments such as the Zampogna and Zaqq highlight cultural richness, completing this comprehensive list.