Explore the Main Types of Musical Instruments with Examples
We all like to listen to music. Music helps us to stay happy, we enjoy different songs, and we dance to different songs but have you ever thought about what makes a song enjoyable? It is Music which makes us dance. But how is this music played? With help of what we are able to add music? The answer to all questions is Musical instruments.
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Musical instruments turn silence into beautiful sounds that express our deepest feelings. They connect us through harmonic sounds, making every note a bridge between hearts. Playing musical instruments involves producing sound by using wind, keys, or force to strike or hit notes. The sounds produced by these notes come in different forms and are perceived by our brain differently.
The process of all this coming together is what we come to know as music, and while it is an emotion that cannot be simply put into words, it is important to understand the process that goes into creating this feeling. In this article, you can find different musical instruments names with pictures.
A musical instrument is defined as a device for producing a musical sound. Objects such as piano, guitar or drum that we use for playing music are known as musical instruments. Musical instruments are often simply called instruments, every musical instrument has its own sound and is different, there are more than 1500 musical instruments. So we can say that a musical instrument is a device which is used to make musical sounds. Let's study in detail about different musical instruments.
Types of Musical Instruments:
Musical instruments are categorised into 4 major types:
String
Keyboard
Percussion
Woodwind
Let's explore a little bit about each type:
String: These are one of the most common types of instruments. They involve striking or hitting a string and the resonance and intensity of the sound produced is based on the manner or the force at which the string is striked.
Example: Guitar, Violin, Sitar
Keyboard: Keyboard instruments produce sound by pressing keys or buttons. Each key is programmed to produce a specific sound, which is generated when the key is pressed. Oftentimes, the type is synchronous with the instrument by the same name.
Example: Keyboard, Harmonium, Organ, Synthesizer
Percussion: Percussion instruments produce sound when they are struck, shaken, or scraped. The sound is created by the vibration of the instrument's material or surface. Each type of percussion instrument generates a distinct sound based on its construction and the method used to play it.
Example: Drums, Tabla, Mridang, Xylophone
Woodwind/Brass: Woodwind instruments produce sound when air is blown through them, causing vibrations in the air column. They often use reeds or a flue to create sound. Each woodwind instrument has a unique output based on its construction and the way air interacts with it.
Example: Tuba, Trumpet, Flute, Reed
Other:While these are the major 4 categories that msot instruments fall under, some instruments can have a pecularity or a uniqueness to them that puts them in their own category.
Example: Electronic and Digital Instruments, Mechanical Keyboards, Electronic and Steel Drum Kits.
All Musical Instruments Names List
We can proceed to look at different musical instruments names and the types they correspond to.
Detailed Look at Some Common Instruments:
Indian Musical Instruments Names List:
Music is an important part of the culture of our country. Traditions have witnessed many different hand musical instrument names along with other significant instruments. The following list highlights the different traditional musical instruments with names of our country.
Sitar - A string instrument known for its use in Indian classical music.
Tabla - A pair of hand-played drums used in various Indian music genres.
Sarod - A string instrument with a deep, resonant sound, often used in classical music.
Flute (Bansuri) - A bamboo flute played in Indian classical and folk music.
Harmonium - A keyboard instrument used in Indian devotional and classical music.
Santoor - A hammered dulcimer with strings, used in Kashmiri and Indian classical music.
Veena - A traditional South Indian string instrument with a distinct, rich sound.
Mridangam - A classical percussion instrument used predominantly in South Indian music.
Dholak - A two-headed drum used in folk music and various Indian celebrations.
Tanpura - A string instrument used to provide a continuous harmonic drone in Indian classical music.
Test your Knowledge on Musical Instruments:
1) Which of the following is a percussion instrument?
Sitar
Guitar
Accordion
Tabla
2) What category does the Tuba fall under?
Brass
Percussion
Keyboards
Strings
3) Which of the following is a traditional indian musical instrument?
Sitar
Guitar
Steel Drums
Trumpet
Check your answers below:
1) Tabla
2) Brass
3) Sitar
Important Takeaways from Different Musical Instruments Names and Information
There are vast number of different instruments ranging from small musical instruments names to hand musical instruments names and more.
Instruments are classified into different types based on their make, the sound they produce and most importantly, the way or manner used to play them
There are namely 4 major categories of instruments - String, Brass/Woodwind, Percussion, Keyboards
Music has been a major part of Indian culture since early history and our country has witnessed the birth of many major instruments.
All in all, Musical Instuments are an extremely vast topic with multiple disciplines and practises to learn within it.
FAQs on Musical Instrument Names: Essential List for Students
1. What is a musical instrument?
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument. The primary purpose of these instruments is for a person, called a musician or instrumentalist, to produce music.
2. How are musical instruments typically categorised?
Musical instruments are generally classified into major families based on how they produce sound. The four main categories are:
- String Instruments (Chordophones): Produce sound from vibrating strings. Examples include the guitar, violin, and sitar.
- Wind Instruments (Aerophones): Produce sound by a vibrating column of air. These are further divided into woodwind (flute, clarinet) and brass (trumpet, trombone).
- Percussion Instruments (Idiophones/Membranophones): Produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped. Examples include drums, cymbals, and xylophone.
- Keyboard Instruments: Played using a keyboard. Examples are the piano, organ, and synthesiser.
3. What are some of the most popular musical instruments in the world?
Some of the most popular and widely played musical instruments globally include the piano, guitar (acoustic and electric), violin, drums, and flute. Their popularity stems from their versatility across various music genres, from classical and folk to pop and rock.
4. Can you name some common Indian musical instruments?
India has a rich heritage of traditional musical instruments. Some of the most well-known examples include the Sitar (a plucked string instrument), the Tabla (a pair of hand drums), the Bansuri (a side-blown flute), and the Veena (another plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music).
5. What is the main difference between a string instrument and a wind instrument?
The fundamental difference lies in their sound production method. A string instrument creates sound when its strings are made to vibrate, either by plucking, bowing, or striking. In contrast, a wind instrument produces sound when a player blows air into or across a mouthpiece, causing the column of air inside the instrument to vibrate.
6. Why is learning a musical instrument considered beneficial for students?
Learning a musical instrument offers numerous benefits for a student's development. It enhances cognitive skills like memory and problem-solving, improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, fosters discipline and perseverance through regular practice, and provides a powerful outlet for creative expression and emotional release.
7. How do traditional instruments like the Sitar differ from modern ones like the electric guitar?
The primary differences are in their construction, sound production, and amplification. A Sitar is an acoustic instrument made from natural materials like wood and gourd, producing sound through a resonating chamber. An electric guitar often uses synthetic materials and relies on electronic pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals, which are then amplified, allowing for a wide range of sound modifications.
8. What are some examples of percussion instruments?
Percussion instruments are a diverse group. They include:
- Pitched Percussion: Instruments that produce a specific note, like the Xylophone, Marimba, and Timpani.
- Unpitched Percussion: Instruments that produce a sound without a definite pitch, such as the snare drum, cymbals, triangle, and Tabla.
9. Is the piano a percussion or a string instrument?
This is a classic point of debate. The piano produces sound when a felt-covered hammer strikes a string, which technically makes it a string instrument. However, because of this striking action, it is often classified as a percussion instrument in the Hornbostel-Sachs system of classification. For practical purposes, it is most commonly placed in its own category: keyboard instruments.
10. What are some good starter instruments for young children?
For young beginners, instruments that are easy to handle and produce sound without complex techniques are ideal. Good examples include the recorder or flute for learning breath control, the ukulele due to its small size and soft strings, and a keyboard or piano for its straightforward visual layout of notes. Small percussion instruments like tambourines or bongo drums are also excellent for developing rhythm.
