Search instruments 47 results
Violin A four-string instrument whose singing tone leads orchestras and many folk traditions. Cello A large bowed instrument with a warm range close to the human voice. Double bass The orchestra's deepest string voice also anchors jazz, bluegrass, and many popular styles. Harp Dozens of strings create resonant chords, glissandos, and delicate melodic color. Classical guitar Nylon strings support melody, harmony, rhythm, and a vast solo repertoire. Electric guitar Magnetic pickups turn string vibration into a highly shapeable amplified sound. Ukulele A compact four-string instrument associated strongly with modern Hawaiian music. Banjo A bright, percussive instrument with African American roots and a drum-like body. Sitar A North Indian lute uses sympathetic strings and movable frets for a rich resonant sound. Koto Japan's long zither uses movable bridges and finger picks to shape pitch and tone. Oud A fretless short-necked lute central to many Middle Eastern musical traditions. Mandolin Paired metal strings give this small instrument a crisp, projecting tremolo. Piano Hammers strike strings across a huge range, letting one player handle melody, harmony, and rhythm. Pipe organ Keyboards, pedals, and ranks of pipes can fill vast spaces with layered sound. Accordion Bellows drive air through reeds while buttons or keys control melody and harmony. Synthesizer Electronic circuits or software build sound from oscillators, samples, filters, and modulation. Harpsichord Keys pluck strings for a bright, precise sound associated with Baroque music. Celesta Felt hammers strike metal plates to create a soft, bell-like keyboard tone. Flute A side-blown tube produces a clear agile tone without using a reed. Clarinet A single reed and cylindrical bore create a wide range from dark low notes to bright highs. Oboe Its narrow double reed gives the oboe a penetrating, expressive voice used to tune orchestras. Bassoon A folded conical bore gives this large woodwind a flexible bass and tenor voice. Saxophone A metal-bodied reed instrument bridges concert bands, jazz, classical, and popular music. Recorder A simple internal windway makes this historic flute accessible while rewarding refined breath control. Pan flute Rows of closed pipes produce different pitches as the player blows across their tops. Shakuhachi A Japanese end-blown bamboo flute uses breath and head movement for subtle pitch and tone. Trumpet Buzzing lips drive a bright cylindrical brass instrument used from fanfares to jazz. Trombone A sliding tube changes pitch continuously and gives the instrument its unmistakable glissando. French horn Long coiled tubing creates a mellow orchestral sound with closely spaced upper notes. Tuba The largest standard brass instrument provides the deep foundation of bands and orchestras. Euphonium A conical tenor brass instrument produces a smooth, lyrical sound in wind and brass bands. Didgeridoo A long Aboriginal Australian wind instrument produces drones shaped by the mouth and voice. Drum kit A coordinated set of drums and cymbals lets one player build complete rhythmic textures. Djembe A West African goblet drum produces distinct bass, tone, and slap sounds. Tabla A tuned pair of North Indian drums supports intricate rhythmic cycles and expressive strokes. Marimba Wooden bars and resonators create a warm pitched sound played with two or more mallets. Steelpan Carefully shaped sections of a steel drum produce bright chromatic pitches. Cajon A wooden box drum creates bass and snare-like tones with different hand positions. Vibraphone Metal bars, a sustain pedal, and rotating resonators produce a floating tremolo sound. Glockenspiel Small metal bars produce brilliant high pitches that carry through an ensemble. Kalimba Thumbs pluck tuned metal tines mounted on a resonant wooden body. Hang A hand-played steel vessel combines tuned notes with soft percussive textures. Theremin Two antennas control pitch and volume without physical contact. Electric bass Amplified low strings connect rhythm and harmony across countless popular styles. Drum machine Programmable electronic percussion turns rhythmic ideas into repeatable patterns. Turntables DJs use records or digital decks as instruments for timing, layering, scratching, and transitions. MIDI controller Keys, pads, knobs, or sensors send instructions to software instruments.
Explore familiar and unexpected sounds from around the world. This random musical instrument generator includes how each instrument makes sound, its family, its roots, and one practical way to start listening or learning.
