Musical instruments are broadly categorized by how they produce sound: Strings (violin, guitar), Woodwinds (flute, clarinet), Brass (trumpet, trombone), Percussion (drums, cymbals), and Keyboards (piano, synthesizer). More scientific systems classify them as Idiophones, Membranophones, Chordophones, Aerophones, and Electrophones, while modern music also uses electronic instruments like drum machines and samplers.
By Sound Production (Western Orchestral)
- String Instruments (Chordophones): Sound from vibrating strings (e.g., Guitar, Violin, Harp, Cello, Sitar).
- Woodwind Instruments (Aerophones): Sound from vibrating air (e.g., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe).
- Brass Instruments (Aerophones): Sound from buzzing lips into a mouthpiece (e.g., Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn).
- Percussion Instruments: Sound from striking, shaking, or scraping (e.g., Drums, Xylophone, Cymbals, Tambourine, Tabla).
- Keyboard Instruments: Played with keys, often combining other types (e.g., Piano, Organ, Synthesizer).
By Hornbostel-Sachs System (Scientific Classification)
- Idiophones: The instrument body vibrates (e.g., Xylophone, Triangle, Bells).
- Membranophones: A stretched membrane vibrates (e.g., Timpani, Bongos, Snare Drum).
- Chordophones: Strings vibrate (e.g., Violin, Guitar).
- Aerophones: Air vibrates (e.g., Flute, Trumpet, Organ pipes).
- Electrophones: Sound produced electronically (e.g., Synthesizer, Electric Guitar, Sampler).
Other Categories
- Electronic/Digital: Created or modified by electronic means (e.g., Drum Machine, Synthesizer).
- Traditional/Folk: Instruments specific to certain cultures (e.g., Bansuri, Dhol, Sitar, Erhu).
Different Types of Musical Instruments
Musical instruments, based on their type, can be categorised under four different types, and they are as listed:
- String Instruments
- Percussion Instruments
- Keyboard Instruments
- Brass/Wind Instruments
String Instruments
Instruments producing sounds by the vibrations of strings are called string instruments. Here is a list of some of the most common string instruments for your reference.
- Violin
- Guitar
- Cello
- Harp
- Veena
- Sitar
- Viola
- Mandolin
- Banjo
- Ukulele
- Lute
Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments are those instruments that produce sound by being struck, hit or rubbed. Check out the names of percussion instruments from the list given below.
- Drums
- Mridangam
- Tabla
- Xylophone
- Snare druminstrument
- Cymbal
- Triangle
- Bass drumInstruments
- Maracas
- Chimes
- Tambourine
- Timpani
- Marimba
Keyboard instruments
They are musical instruments played using keyboards. Check out the following list of keyboard instruments.
- Piano
- Harmonium
- Celeste
- Pipe organ
- Accordion
- Claviola
- Harpsichord
- Organ
- Synthesiser
- Harmonica
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Brass/Wind Instruments
These are instruments that produce sound by means of the vibration of air in a tubular resonator. Here is a list of some brass instrument names for you.
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Saxophone
- Mouth organ
- Piccolo
- Trombone
- French horn
- Tuba
- Euphonium
- Cornet
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Bassoon
