An Overview of Different Types of Musical Instruments

Articles on Music | Topics: music, musical

by Sigrid Townsend

When looking at the options available to you when learning an instrument you will be struck by just the number of different instruments there actually are out there. Learning about the possibilities can be almost as interesting as finally choosing the instrument that best suits you. There certainly are many categories of instruments to choose from including wind, percussion, string or keyboard. Each makes its own very distinctive sound. Each group also offers many options.

Wind instruments consist of the group of instruments that make their sound when air passes through them. The air causes a vibration to take place that becomes a musical tone. Depending on the size of the opening, which is often based on what holes you have covered with your fingers, the sound changes. The sound is also different based on the size and shape of the instrument. Wind instruments can be divided into two groups brass and woodwind.

Woodwind instruments get their name because at one time they were all made from wood. This is not always the case now. They are usually tube shaped. The length of the tube inside determines the sound made. By covering the holes you lengthen the tube within and that affects the type sound that is made. The more holes you cover the lower the pitch. There are five sub-groups of instruments that put together make up the woodwind group. These include clarinets, flutes, bassoons, oboes and saxophones.

Brass instruments are made, not unexpectedly, most often from brass. Just like the woodwinds, air that is blown into the mouthpiece makes vibrations that make the sound. This sound is made more by the vibration of the lips then simply the air being blown into the instrument. Brass instruments are dividing into two groups. One set are the valved instruments. They use a set of valves, usually three or four but up to as many as seven, that are moved by the musicians fingers to create changes in the sound. A few examples of these are the trumpet, horn and tuba. The other group, which consists primarily of the trombone family, uses a slide for a similar purpose. Both the valves and the slide change the pitch.

аQuote of the Day

A woman drew her long black hair out tight
And fiddled whisper music on those strings
And bats with baby faces in the violet light
Whistled, and beat their wings
And crawled head downward down a blackened wall....

—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

Stringed instruments make music by causing a vibration of the string. The musician can cause this vibration in several different ways. With a guitar, the sting is plucked with a finger or a pick. While a viola, violin or cello you use a bow run over the stings to make the sound. A cello or a base is a very large instrument. If this is what you choose to play be sure you are comfortable especially if you need to carry one to school practices or on the bus to your private lesson. Interestingly pianos are classified as a keyboard sting instrument. When playing the piano the strings inside are hit by the hammers that make the strings vibrate thus creating the musical sounds.

Percussion instruments are those that are played by being rubbed, hit, and shook or scraped. These are the second oldest instruments known to mankind, the human voice being the oldest. A few examples of percussion instruments include cymbals, tambourines, the triangle, a variety of different drums, xylophone and chimes.

Then there are keyboards. Keyboards are a more complicated instrument then many as the process for making sound is not as straightforward. Many of these instruments use the key to hit a string that then makes the sound. Examples of these include the piano, harpsichord, and clavichord. But others like the pipe organ make their music differently. This device with its harmonious melodies makes its music by air vibrating in the pipes not unlike the woodwind instruments. Then there is the accordion that uses another technique all together. With the accordion the air is moved about by pressing the keys and then has to go from the bellows past the reeds.

How about a modern electronic keyboard or synthesizer? A synthesizer can play any number of musical sounds copying a variety of instruments. Using the synthesizer there is a whole orchestra, string, percussion and wind available to the would-be musician. Musical instruments are a wonderful addition to our lives.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "An Overview of Different Types of Musical Instruments" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by MusicInstrumentsCds.com.

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