Musical Instruments Names with Infographics

Music has many different tools. These tools are known as musical instruments. They make all kinds of sounds. Some instruments are common, like the ‘guitar’. Some have names we might not hear often, like ‘guzheng’. When we talk about Musical Instruments Names, we learn about many instruments from all over the world. Each name tells a story about where it came from and how it’s used. Musical Instruments Names are important because they help us know and understand more about music and cultures. So, talking about Musical Instruments Names is like going on a fun journey to learn about music.

List of Musical Instruments Names

Types of Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can be broadly categorized based on how they produce sound. Let’s break them down into their primary types and provide examples for each.

1. String Instruments (Chordophones)

• Plucked Strings
  • Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Classical)
  • Harp
  • Mandolin
  • Ukulele
  • Banjo
  • Sitar
  • Lute
  • Oud
  • Zither
  • Guzheng
  • Koto
  • Balalaika
• Bowed Strings
  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double Bass (or Upright Bass)
  • Erhu
  • Sarangi
  • Rebab
• Struck Strings
  • Dulcimer
  • Cimbalom
  • Piano (though it’s also classified as a percussion instrument due to its mechanism)
  • Harpsichord

2. Woodwind Instruments (Aerophones)

• Flute (Western Concert, Piccolo, Bamboo, Alto, Bass)
• Recorder
• Clarinet
• Oboe
• Cor anglais (or English horn)
• Bassoon
• Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Soprano, Baritone)
• Bagpipes
• Shakuhachi
• Pan Flute
• Bansuri

3. Brass Instruments (Aerophones)

• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Tuba
• Euphonium
• Bugle
• Sousaphone
• Cornet
• Mellophone
• Flugelhorn

4. Percussion Instruments (Idiophones & Membranophones)

• Unpitched Percussion
  • Drum Kit
  • Bongos
  • Conga
  • Djembe
  • Triangle
  • Tambourine
  • Castanets
  • Claves
  • Woodblock
• Pitched Percussion
  • Xylophone
  • Marimba
  • Vibraphone
  • Timpani (or Kettle Drums)
  • Gong
  • Bell
  • Chimes (or Tubular Bells)
  • Hang Drum

5. Keyboard Instruments

• Piano
• Organ (Pipe, Electric)
• Harmonium
• Clavichord
• Synthesizer
• Accordion
• Mellotron

6. Electronic Instruments

• Theremin
• Ondes Martenot
• Electric Guitar
• Electric Bass
• Drum Machine
• Keyboard Synthesizer
• Digital Piano

7. Other/Experimental Instruments

• Didgeridoo
• Kazoo
• Nose Flute
• Jew’s Harp
• Singing Bowl
• Glass Harmonica

8. Hybrid Instruments

• Electric Violin
• Electric Cello
• Keytar
• Electric Harp

Common Musical Instruments

• Piano: A keyboard instrument with hammers striking strings to produce sound.
• Guitar (Acoustic and Electric): A stringed instrument; acoustic uses a hollow body for sound, while electric requires amplification.
• Violin: A stringed instrument played with a bow; known for its high pitch and expressive tone.
• Drums (Drum Kit): A percussion set with varying components like snare, bass drum, and cymbals.
• Flute: A woodwind instrument played by blowing air across a hole.
• Clarinet: A single-reed woodwind instrument with a cylindrical shape.
• Saxophone: A brass-looking woodwind instrument with a single reed and distinctive curved shape.
• Trumpet: A brass instrument with three valves, producing bright, sharp tones.
• Trombone: A brass instrument with a slide mechanism to change pitch.
• Cello: A large stringed instrument played with a bow, producing deeper tones than a violin.
• Bass Guitar: A stringed instrument with typically four strings, providing rhythm and low frequencies.
• Ukulele: A small, four-stringed guitar-like instrument with a light, cheerful sound.
• Harp: A large stringed instrument played by plucking, often associated with angelic music.
• Organ: A keyboard instrument producing sound by pushing air through pipes or using electronic tones.
• Accordion: A portable instrument with a keyboard and bellows, producing sound by pushing air through reed blocks.
• Bassoon: A double-reed woodwind instrument with a low, rich tone.
• Oboe: A double-reed woodwind instrument known for its bright and piercing sound.
• French Horn: A coiled brass instrument with a deep, round tone.
• Tuba: The largest brass instrument, producing the lowest pitch.
• Banjo: A stringed instrument with a circular drum-like body, known for its twangy sound.
• Mandolin: A small, eight-stringed instrument played by plucking, known for its bright tone.
• Harmonica: A small, hand-held wind instrument played by blowing and drawing air through reed chambers.
• Bongos: A pair of connected drums of different sizes, played with the hands.
• Conga: A tall, narrow drum played with the hands, often used in Latin music.
• Viola: Similar to the violin but slightly larger, producing a warmer, deeper tone.
• Xylophone: A percussion instrument with wooden bars struck by mallets.
• Tambourine: A handheld percussion instrument with jingles, often shaken or struck.
• Recorder: A simple woodwind instrument with a whistle-like mouthpiece.
• Triangle: A metal percussion instrument in a triangle shape, struck with a beater.

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