Alphabetical List of Instruments – A
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From the traditional Abeng trumpet from Ghana to the Ayacaxtli rattle of Mexico, learn more about the instruments of the world.
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Classification Note:
Chordophones produce sound primarily by the vibration of strings. Idiophone generate sound through the vibration of the instrument’s body itself, without the use of strings, membranes, or external air columns. Membranophones produce sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane. Aerophones create sound by vibrating air within the instrument.
Abeng
The Abeng is a trumpet made from animal horn, particularly cow horn, and is used in Ghana, Haiti, and Jamaica. Played by blowing air through the narrow end, it produces a loud, resonant sound. Classified as an aerophone, this ancient instrument has been used for centuries, particularly in communication and ceremonial contexts. It is prominently featured in traditional and military music.
Achere
The Achere is a hand-held shaker originating from Cuba, used primarily in Santería rituals. It consists of a hollow gourd filled with beads or seeds, shaken to produce rhythmic sounds. Classified as an idiophone, this instrument is centuries old and plays a key role in Afro-Cuban religious music.
Accordion
The Accordion is a portable, free-reed musical instrument with a keyboard and bellows, traditionally used in folk and popular music worldwide. This aerophone is played by compressing and expanding the bellows while pressing keys or buttons, which forces air through reeds to produce sound. Originating in early 19th century Germany and Austria, the accordion has since become a staple in various music genres, including polka, tango, zydeco, and folk music across cultures.
Adamo
The Adamo is a talking drum from Nigeria, characterized by its hourglass shape and variable pitch. It is played by squeezing the drum’s strings while striking the head with a curved stick, allowing the player to mimic the tones of human speech. This membranophone has been used in West African music for centuries, particularly in communication and traditional ceremonies.
Adduff
The Adduff is a circular frame drum originating from the Arab world, typically made of wood with a stretched animal skin. Played by striking the membrane with the hands, it is classified as a membranophone. The instrument dates back to ancient times and is commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African folk and religious music.
Adjá
The Adjá is a metal bell used in the Bahian Candomblé and Xangô rituals in Brazil. It is played by striking it with a metal stick, producing a clear, resonant tone. As an idiophone, this instrument has been integral to Afro-Brazilian religious ceremonies for centuries, contributing to the rhythmic foundation of the music.
Adodo
The Adodo consists of a cluster of non-resonant bells attached to a metal rod, originating from Ghana. Played by shaking or striking, it produces a series of sharp, metallic sounds. This idiophone has ancient roots and is primarily used in traditional Ghanaian music and ceremonies.
Adowa
The Adowa is a set of carved drums from Ghana, featuring skins made from cow or antelope hide. Musicians play these drums with sticks, creating rhythmic patterns that accompany traditional dances. As membranophones, they have been part of Ghanaian culture for centuries, often used in ceremonial and celebratory music.
Adufé
The Adufé is a square frame drum found in Portugal and Brazil, made of wood with a skin stretched across the frame. It is played by striking the membrane with the hands, producing a deep, resonant sound. This membranophone has historical roots in both Iberian and Afro-Brazilian music, dating back several centuries.
Adungu
The Adungu is a bowed harp with seven to ten strings, originating from Uganda. Played by plucking the strings with the fingers, it produces a melodic, harp-like sound. As a chordophone, it has been used by the Alur people for generations in traditional Ugandan music, particularly in storytelling and ceremonial contexts.
Adyá
The Adyá is a metal rattle from Cuba, used in Afro-Cuban religious music. It is played by shaking, creating a rhythmic sound that complements other percussion instruments. This idiophone has been part of Cuban culture for centuries, especially in Santería and other Afro-Cuban spiritual practices.
Afuche
The Afuche, also known as a cabasa, is a shaker made from a dried hollow gourd with metal beads attached to a net around it, originating from Brazil. It is played by shaking or twisting, producing a rhythmic rattling sound. This idiophone is a relatively recent invention used in Afro-Brazilian and Latin American music styles, particularly in samba and bossa nova.
Agbe
The Agbe is a beaded gourd shaker from Nigeria, commonly known as a shekere. Played by shaking or striking against the hand or thigh, it produces a percussive sound. This idiophone has ancient roots in Yoruba music and is widely used in African and Afro-Caribbean music traditions.
Agboba
The Agboba is a large barrel-shaped bass drum from Ghana, standing about 3 feet tall. Played with sticks or hands, it provides deep bass tones that are fundamental in traditional Ghanaian music. This membranophone has been used for centuries, particularly in ceremonial and social events.
Agember
The Agember, also known as Mandol, is a mandolin-like stringed instrument from Algeria, featuring a larger body and longer neck. Musicians play it by plucking the silk strings, producing a resonant, melodic sound. This chordophone is several centuries old and is typically used in Algerian folk music, particularly in Kabyle and Chaâbi genres.
Agogo
The Agogo is a set of two metal bells, one larger than the other, found in African and Brazilian music. Played by striking with a stick, it produces a high-pitched, ringing sound. As an idiophone, this instrument has ancient origins and is commonly used in samba, capoeira, and traditional African drumming ensembles.
Agong
The Agong is a wide, shallow-rimmed gong from Sarawak, Malaysia, known for its deep, resonant tones. It is played by striking the gong with a mallet, producing a sound that is central to the Bisayah Gong Orchestra. This idiophone has been used for centuries in traditional Malaysian music, particularly in ceremonies and cultural events.
Agual
The Agual is a frame drum traditionally played by women in the Middle East. Musicians strike the drum with their hands, producing rhythmic patterns that accompany dances and songs. This membranophone has been used in Middle Eastern music for centuries, often in folk and ceremonial contexts.
Agwal
The Agwal is a small clay barrel drum from Morocco, used in Taskiwin dance performances. Played with the hands, it produces a distinct, percussive sound. As a membranophone, it has roots in North African music traditions and has been in use for many generations.
Aiapá
The Aiapá is a shaker from Brazil, typically used in Afro-Brazilian music. It consists of a gourd or container filled with seeds or small stones, played by shaking to produce rhythmic sounds. This idiophone is a traditional instrument with deep roots in Brazilian folk music, particularly in candomblé rituals.
Aidjé
The Aidjé is a bullroarer from Brazil, used in various traditional ceremonies. It is swung in the air by a string, producing a low, whirring sound. This ancient aerophone has been used for centuries in Brazilian indigenous and Afro-Brazilian music, often in spiritual and ritual contexts.
Aita
The Aita is a stringed instrument from the Baka forest people of Southeast Cameroon. Played by plucking the strings, it produces a soft, melodic sound. This chordophone is part of the traditional music of the Baka people, used for storytelling and ceremonial purposes for centuries.
Ajaeng
The Ajaeng is a seven-stringed traditional zither from Korea, played with a bow made of forsythia wood. It produces a distinctive, mournful sound that is central to Korean court and folk music. This chordophone has a history dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, making it over a thousand years old.
Aji
The Aji is a tin whistle from Nigeria, often associated with children’s ensembles. It is played by blowing air through the mouthpiece and covering the holes to produce different notes. This aerophone has been used in Igede music for generations, particularly in folk and educational settings.
Akadinda
The Akadinda is a large xylophone from Uganda with 22 wooden keys, played by four musicians simultaneously. It produces a complex, interlocking melody that is central to traditional Ugandan music. As an idiophone, it has ancient origins and is used in ceremonial and social music, particularly in the Buganda region.
Akanyembe
The Akanyembe is a fiddle from Mozambique, made from a gourd with a single string. It is played by bowing the string, producing a distinctive, high-pitched sound. This chordophone is used in traditional Mozambican music and has been part of the region’s musical heritage for centuries.
Akogo
The Akogo is a thumb piano from Uganda, consisting of metal tines attached to a wooden board. Played by plucking the tines with the thumbs, it produces a melodic, percussive sound. This idiophone has been used in East African music for hundreds of years, particularly in storytelling and social gatherings.
Akoko
The Akoko is a rattle made from nutshells, commonly used in African music. It is played by shaking, producing a rustling, percussive sound. This idiophone has been part of African musical traditions for centuries, often used in ceremonial and folk music.
Akonting
The Akonting is a long lute from Gambia, considered one of the ancestors of the American banjo. It is played by plucking the three strings with the fingers, producing a resonant, melodic sound. This chordophone has a long history in West African music, particularly in Jola cultural traditions.
Akuba
The Akuba is a set of three small, conga-style drums from Nigeria, traditionally played together. Musicians use their hands to strike the drumheads, producing a rhythmic foundation for Yoruba music. As membranophones, these drums have been used for centuries in West African ceremonial and social music.
Alboka
The Alboka is a traditional Basque horn instrument made from wood, cane, and animal horn, featuring two bamboo pipes with reeds. It is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the holes to produce a reedy, nasal sound. This aerophone has been part of Basque culture for centuries, often used in folk music and dance.
Alfandoque
The Alfandoque is a shaker made from a piece of sugar cane or bamboo filled with seeds or stones, found in the Andes region of South America. Played by shaking, it produces a rattling sound that complements other percussion instruments. This idiophone has been used for generations in Andean folk music, particularly in Colombia and Ecuador.
Algozey
The Algozey is a double-flute from the Punjab region, traditionally played by goat herders. One flute serves as a drone, while the other plays the melody, creating a hypnotic sound. This aerophone has been part of Punjabi music for centuries, often used in Bhangra and folk music.
Allun
The Allun is a frame drum with cymbals, used by the Berber Chleuhs in Morocco. It is played by striking the drumhead with the hands, producing a rhythmic sound with metallic accents. This membranophone has ancient origins and is commonly used in Berber folk music and dance.
Almirez
The Almirez is a metallic mortar used as a percussion instrument in Andalusian folk music. Musicians strike it with a pestle, creating a sharp, ringing sound. This idiophone has been part of Spanish musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and festive settings.
Alo
The Alo is a long hollow gong from Nigeria, available in two types: smooth metal and forged metal. It is played by striking with a mallet, producing a deep, resonant tone. This idiophone has been used in Nigerian music for generations, particularly in ceremonial and traditional music.
Alogoza
The Alogoza is a double flute from India, one for the drone and the other for the melody. It is played by blowing into both flutes simultaneously, creating a harmonious sound. This aerophone has been part of Indian folk music for centuries, particularly in the Punjab region.
Alumaru
The Alumaru is a flute from the Iteso people of Uganda, made from wood or bamboo. Played by blowing air through the mouthpiece, it produces a high-pitched, melodic sound. This aerophone has been used in Ugandan music for generations, particularly in folk and ceremonial contexts.
Amadinda
The Amadinda is a log xylophone from Uganda, consisting of several wooden bars placed on banana stems. It is played by three musicians, creating interlocking rhythms that are central to traditional Ugandan music. As an idiophone, it has ancient roots and is used in both ceremonial and social music.
Ambio
The Ambio is a pair of wooden sticks from Madagascar, struck together to produce a resonant sound. This simple idiophone is used in traditional Malagasy music, often accompanying dances and ceremonies. The instrument has been part of Madagascar’s musical heritage for centuries.
Amponga
The Amponga is a simple cylindrical, two-headed drum from Madagascar. Played by striking the drumheads with hands or sticks, it produces a deep, resonant sound. This membranophone has been part of Malagasy music for centuries, particularly in traditional ceremonies and dances.
Angklung
The Angklung is a set of tuned bamboo rattles from Indonesia, hung from a frame. It is played by shaking the frame, causing the bamboo tubes to resonate and produce melodic tones. This idiophone has been used for centuries in Javanese and Sundanese music, particularly in ceremonial and folk traditions.
Antara
The Antara is a pentatonic pan flute from the Andes region, particularly Peru. Played by blowing across the tops of the tubes, it produces a soft, airy sound. This aerophone has ancient origins, dating back to pre-Columbian times, and is commonly used in Andean folk music.
Antsiva
The Antsiva is a conch shell used as a wind instrument in Madagascar. Played by blowing into the narrow end, it produces a deep, resonant tone. This ancient aerophone has been part of Malagasy culture for centuries, often used in ceremonial and ritual music.
Antumpan
The Antumpan is a large carved drum from Ghana, with a cowhide head, played with curved sticks. It produces deep bass tones and is central to traditional Ghanaian music. This membranophone has been used for centuries, particularly in communication and ceremonial events.
Apito
The Apito is a whistle used by the Brazilian bateria leader in samba schools. It is played by blowing into it, producing a sharp, high-pitched sound that directs the rhythm of the ensemble. This aerophone has been part of Brazilian music for decades, especially in samba and carnival music.
Aponga
The Aponga refers to a set of drums from Madagascar. Played with sticks or hands, these drums produce a range of percussive sounds that are central to traditional Malagasy music. These membranophones have ancient roots and are used in ceremonies, dances, and folk music.
Ardin
The Ardin is a nine-string harp from Mauritania, traditionally played by women. It is plucked with the fingers to produce soft, melodic tones. This chordophone has been part of Mauritanian music for centuries, particularly in griot traditions and ceremonial music.
Arghul
The Arghul is a double-reed wind instrument from Egypt and Palestine/Israel, consisting of two asymmetrical pipes. One pipe produces the melody, while the other provides a continuous drone, played using circular breathing. This aerophone has ancient origins, dating back to Pharaonic times, and is used in traditional Middle Eastern music.
Arpa Criolla
The Arpa Criolla is a traditional harp from Venezuela, featuring a larger frame and more strings than other harps. It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers, producing a bright, resonant sound. This chordophone has been part of Venezuelan folk music for centuries, particularly in joropo and other regional genres.
Arpa de boca
The Arpa de boca, also known as the jaw harp, is a small, mouth-held instrument from Spain. Played by plucking the reed while holding it between the teeth, it produces a twanging sound. This idiophone has ancient roots and is used in folk music across various cultures, including Spanish, European, and Asian traditions.
Arpa Jalisciense
The Arpa Jalisciense is a harp from the Jalisco region of Mexico, used in mariachi music. It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers, producing a rich, vibrant sound that complements the other mariachi instruments. This chordophone has been part of Mexican music for centuries, particularly in folk and regional music.
Arpa Legüera
The Arpa Legüera is a unique percussion instrument from Argentina, combining the sounds of a charango, West African kora, and Japanese koto. Played by striking the strings with fingers or mallets, it produces a mix of melodic and percussive tones. This chordophone was invented in 2013 and is used in contemporary folk and experimental music.
Ashiko
The Ashiko is a cone-shaped drum from Nigeria, traditionally made from wood and animal skin. Played with the hands, it produces a resonant bass tone when struck in the center and a higher tone on the rim. This membranophone has been part of Yoruba music for centuries, used in ceremonies and social gatherings.
Askalabo
The Askalabo is a water drum from the Tuareg people, made from an upside-down calabash placed in a basin of water. Played by striking the calabash with hands or shoe soles, it produces a deep, resonant sound. This membranophone has been part of Tuareg music for generations, particularly in ritual and social music.
Aslatua
The Aslatua is a pair of small gourd rattles from Ghana, attached by a string and filled with pebbles. Played by shaking and striking against each other, they produce a rhythmic, percussive sound. This idiophone has been used in West African music for centuries, particularly in Ghanaian and Togolese traditional music.
Aso
The Aso is a wooden xylophone from Benin, also known as the doso. Played by striking the wooden bars with mallets, it produces melodic, resonant tones. This idiophone has been part of Beninese music for generations, often used in ceremonies and folk music.
Atabal
The Atabal is a wide, cylindrical double-headed drum found in Spain and Puerto Rico. Played with sticks or hands, it produces a deep, resonant sound that is central to traditional music. This membranophone has been used for centuries in folk and religious music, particularly in processions and festivals.
Atabaque
The Atabaque is a conical drum from Brazil, used in Afro-Brazilian religious music, especially in candomblé and capoeira. Played by striking the drumhead with hands or sticks, it produces a resonant, rhythmic sound. This membranophone has roots in West African drumming traditions and has been part of Brazilian music for centuries.
Atamo
The Atamo is a small drum from Ethiopia, played by tapping with the fingers or palms. It produces a soft, rhythmic sound that complements other traditional Ethiopian instruments. This membranophone has been part of Ethiopian music for generations, particularly in folk and religious music.
Atang
The Atang is a brass bell from Nigeria, used during funerals and other ceremonies. Played by striking with a metal stick, it produces a clear, resonant tone. This idiophone has been part of Nigerian music for centuries, particularly in Igede traditional music.
Atarigane
The Atarigane is a small hand gong from Japan, also known as chan-chiki or kane. Played by striking with a deer horn mallet, it produces a sharp, ringing sound. This idiophone has been used in Japanese music for centuries, particularly in Buddhist rituals and traditional folk music.
Atecocolli
The Atecocolli is a pre-Hispanic wind instrument made from a sea snail shell, used in Mexico. Played by blowing into the shell, it produces a deep, resonant sound. This ancient aerophone has been part of Mesoamerican music for thousands of years, often used in rituals and ceremonies.
Atentenben
The Atentenben is a soprano bamboo flute from Ghana, traditionally used in Akan music. Played by blowing into the mouthpiece, it produces a high-pitched, melodic sound. This aerophone has been part of Ghanaian music for centuries, particularly in folk and ceremonial music.
Atoke
The Atoke is a small, single boat-shaped bell from Ghana, held in the palm and struck with a metal stick. It produces a clear, resonant sound that is essential in traditional Ewe music. This idiophone has been used in Ghanaian music for generations, often in dance and ceremonial contexts.
Atranatra
The Atranatra is a xylophone from southwestern Madagascar, consisting of 5 to 12 wooden keys. Played by striking the keys with mallets, it produces melodic tones central to traditional Malagasy music. This idiophone has been used for centuries in ceremonies and folk music.
Atsimevu
The Atsimevu is a large lead drum from the Ewe people of Ghana, used as the master drum in traditional ensembles. Played with sticks, it produces deep, commanding tones that guide the rhythm of the music. This membranophone has ancient roots and is central to Ewe ceremonial and social music.
Attougblan
The Attougblan is a large standing drum from Ivory Coast, used in traditional music and ceremonies. Played with sticks, it produces a deep, resonant sound that is key to West African drumming ensembles. This membranophone has been part of Ivorian music for centuries, particularly in cultural and social events.
Atumpan
The Atumpan is a pair of talking drums from Ghana, played with curved sticks to mimic the tones of human speech. These drums are central to the Ashanti people’s communication and musical traditions. As membranophones, they have been used for centuries in ceremonial and social music, particularly in the Akan regions of Ghana.
Apache Cane Flute
The Apache Cane Flute is a wind instrument carved from the stalks of desert river cane, used by the Apache people in the USA. Played by blowing into the flute, it produces a soft, melodic sound. This aerophone has been part of Native American music for generations, often used in ceremonial and healing practices.
Au Ni Aau
The Au Ni Aau is a set of panpipes from the Solomon Islands, used for solo performances. Made from bamboo, they are played by blowing across the tops of the tubes to produce melodic tones. This ancient aerophone has been part of the ‘Are ‘are musical tradition for centuries.
Au Pasiawa
The Au Pasiawa is a two-stringed musical bow from the Solomon Islands, used in solo performances. Played by plucking the strings, it produces a resonant, melodic sound. This chordophone has ancient roots and is part of the ‘Are ‘are musical heritage.
Au Porare
The Au Porare is a two-hole transverse flute from the Solomon Islands, made from bamboo. Played by blowing across the holes, it produces a soft, melodic sound. This aerophone has been used in ‘Are ‘are music for centuries, particularly in traditional and ceremonial contexts.
Au Waa
The Au Waa is a set of panpipes from the Solomon Islands, played at an angle. Made from bamboo, these pipes produce harmonic tones when blown into. This aerophone has been part of the ‘Are ‘are culture for centuries, often used in traditional music and rituals.
Au Ware
The Au Ware is a set of bundled panpipes from the Solomon Islands, played vertically. Made from bamboo, they produce melodic tones when blown into. This aerophone has been part of ‘Are ‘are music for generations, particularly in traditional and ceremonial music.
Autoharp
The Autoharp is a zither with a chord-making mechanism, allowing for easy strumming or picking. It is played by pressing buttons that mute unwanted strings, producing harmonious chords. This chordophone was developed in the late 19th century and is widely used in American folk and country music.
Avaga
The Avaga is a single iron gong from Ghana, with a round shape and tapering handle. It is played by striking the gong with a clapper, producing a resonant, metallic sound. This idiophone has been part of Ghanaian music for centuries, particularly in ceremonial and traditional music.
Ayochicahuaztli
The Ayochicahuaztli is a metal rattle from Mexico, used in traditional music and ceremonies. Played by shaking, it produces a sharp, rhythmic sound. This idiophone has been part of Mesoamerican music for centuries, often used in rituals and cultural events.
Axatse
The Axatse is a gourd shaker from Ghana, covered with a net of beads that produce a rattling sound when shaken. It is typically played by striking against the hand or thigh, providing rhythmic accompaniment in traditional Ewe music. This idiophone has ancient roots and is essential in Ghanaian dance and ceremonial music.
Ayacaxtli
The Ayacaxtli is a rattle from Mexico, made from various materials such as gourds or clay. Played by shaking, it produces a rhythmic sound that complements other instruments in traditional Mexican music. This idiophone has been used for centuries in Mesoamerican rituals and ceremonies.
