Alpabetical List of Instruments – E
From the traditional Edakka drum from India to the Esukuti drum of Kenya, learn more about the musical instruments of the world.
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.
Edakka
The Edakka is an hourglass-shaped drum from Kerala, India, played with one stick while the other hand tightens or loosens the strings to change pitch. This membranophone is used in Indian classical and temple music, particularly in Kerala’s Hindu religious ceremonies. The Edakka has a long history in South Indian music, where it plays a key role in devotional performances.
Eesti torupill
The Eesti torupill is an Estonian bagpipe, characterized by a bag made of animal skin and several wooden pipes, including a chanter and drones. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce continuous sound while the player uses finger holes to create melodies. Originating from Estonia, this traditional instrument has been part of Estonian folk music for centuries, particularly in dance and ceremonial music.
Egbong
The Egbong is a wooden drum with a baritone voice, used by the Igede people of Nigeria as part of a drum set that includes the Okpirih and Ubah. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing deep, resonant sounds typical of traditional Nigerian music. The Egbong has been used for generations in Igede ceremonies and communal gatherings.
Ekende
The Ekende is a Congolese thumb piano, also known as a lamellophone, featuring nine iron tongues mounted on a wooden resonator. It is played by plucking the metal tongues with the thumbs, producing melodic, resonant tones used in Congolese folk music. The Ekende has been part of Central African musical traditions for centuries, often accompanying storytelling and rituals.
Ekón
The Ekón is an iron or tin cowbell used in Afro-Cuban abakuá ceremonies, traditionally struck with a metal stick to produce a clear, rhythmic tone. This idiophone is central to the percussive ensemble in abakuá religious music, which has its roots in West African spiritual practices brought to Cuba by enslaved Africans. The Ekón has been a key instrument in Cuban ritual music for centuries.
Ekpiri
The Ekpiri is a rattle made from a set of shiny seeds strung on a wooden or string handle, or on a grass belt, originating from Nigeria. This idiophone is shaken to produce rhythmic, percussive sounds that can be soft or loud, depending on the intensity of shaking. The Ekpiri is commonly used in Nigerian traditional music, particularly in dances and ceremonies.
Ektar
The Ektar is a one-stringed Indian folk instrument, consisting of a gourd pierced by a bamboo stick, with another piece of bamboo forming the tuning peg. This chordophone is played by plucking the single string, producing a droning sound used in Indian folk music and devotional songs. The Ektar has ancient origins, described in Sanskrit texts as the ekatantri vina, meaning “one-stringed lute.”
Ekueñón
The Ekueñón is a ritual Afro-Cuban drum, also known as the “executioner,” leading the sacrifices during religious ceremonies. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing deep, powerful rhythms central to Afro-Cuban spiritual practices. The Ekueñón has been used in Cuban religious rituals for centuries, maintaining its importance in cultural and spiritual ceremonies.
Ekwe
The Ekwe is a two-tone log drum from the Ibo people of Nigeria, played with either a plain wooden stick or a rubber-tipped beater. This idiophone is used in traditional Ibo music to produce rhythmic beats that are integral to ceremonies, dances, and communication. The Ekwe has been part of Ibo culture for centuries, often used in rituals and community events.
Embairé
The Embairé is a large log xylophone from Uganda, featuring wooden keys that are struck with mallets to produce melodic tones. This idiophone is traditionally played by groups of musicians in Ugandan folk music, especially during communal celebrations and ceremonies. The Embairé has been part of Ugandan musical culture for centuries, reflecting the region’s rich musical heritage.
Embeaxió
The Embeaxió is a bamboo flute from Brazil, typically used in traditional Brazilian music. This aerophone is played by blowing air across the mouthpiece while covering finger holes to produce different pitches. The Embeaxió has been used in Brazilian folk music for generations, often in pastoral and ceremonial contexts.
Embilta
The Embilta is a simple one-note flute used in Ethiopian ceremonial rituals, typically made from bamboo or reed. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the mouthpiece, producing a single, sustained note used in Ethiopian religious and celebratory music. The Embilta has been part of Ethiopian culture for centuries, particularly in Orthodox Christian rituals.
Empegó
The Empegó is a ritual Afro-Cuban drum, also known as the “tambor de orden” (order drum), and is the first drum to be heard during a ritual. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic patterns that initiate Afro-Cuban religious ceremonies. The Empegó has been an essential instrument in Cuban spiritual practices for centuries.
Enanga
The Enanga is a six or seven-string arched harp that first entered East Africa with nomadic cattle herders from what is now Southern Ethiopia. This chordophone is plucked with fingers, producing melodic tones used in Ugandan folk music, particularly in storytelling and ceremonial contexts. The Enanga has ancient origins and remains a key instrument in East African music.
Endere
The Endere is a five-fingerhole flute made from bamboo, reed, or lobelia stalk, originating from Uganda. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the mouthpiece while covering finger holes to produce different notes, typically used in Ugandan folk music. The Endere has been part of Ugandan musical traditions for centuries, often accompanying dances and rituals.
Endingidi
The Endingidi is a one-string bowed instrument, also known as a tube fiddle, with a resonator made of wood or cow horn, from Uganda. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing rich, melodic tones used in Ugandan folk music and storytelling. The Endingidi has been a part of Ugandan musical culture for generations.
Engalabi
The Engalabi is a long lead drum from Uganda, traditionally made from wood and covered with cow skin. This membranophone is played with hands or sticks, producing deep, resonant beats that lead traditional Ugandan drumming ensembles. The Engalabi has been used in Ugandan music for centuries, particularly in ceremonial and celebratory contexts.
Engoma
The Engoma are large African drums from the African Great Lakes region, made of wood and covered with cow skin. These membranophones are played with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that are central to the music of the region. The Engoma has been part of African musical traditions for centuries, often used in communal and religious gatherings.
Enkelharpa
The Enkelharpa is a keyed fiddle, an ancestor to the nyckelharpa, still played today in Sweden. This chordophone is played by bowing the strings while pressing keys to change the pitch, producing melodic tones used in Swedish folk music. The Enkelharpa has been part of Scandinavian musical culture for centuries, reflecting the region’s rich folk traditions.
Enkríkamo
The Enkríkamo is a ritual Afro-Cuban drum used to assemble and communicate with the various íremes (ancestral spirits). This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing deep, resonant rhythms central to Afro-Cuban spiritual practices. The Enkríkamo has been a key instrument in Cuban religious rituals for centuries.
Enkwanzi
The Enkwanzi is a pair of panpipes from Uganda, traditionally used in Ugandan folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing across the top of the pipes, producing harmonic tones that are central to traditional Ugandan music. The Enkwanzi has been part of Ugandan musical traditions for generations.
Ennanga
The Ennanga is an eight-string harp from Uganda, known for its rich, melodic tones. This chordophone is plucked with fingers, producing resonant sounds used in Ugandan court music and storytelling. The Ennanga has ancient origins and has been a key instrument in Ugandan musical culture for centuries.
Entenga
The Entenga is a set of 15 tuned drums used in Ugandan court music, traditionally played by an ensemble. These membranophones are played with sticks, producing melodic rhythms that accompany ceremonial and royal events in Uganda. The Entenga has been part of Ugandan musical traditions for centuries, reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Epinette des Vosges
The Epinette des Vosges is a French instrument of the dulcimer family, often oblong with 7 strings, 3 of which are fretted. This chordophone is played by plucking or strumming the strings, producing bright, melodic tones used in French folk music. The Epinette des Vosges has been part of French musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral settings.
Erhu
The Erhu is a two-string bowed lute from China, with a small body and a long neck, and a range of three octaves. This chordophone is played with a bow, with finger pressure playing a critical role in producing its characteristic, expressive tones. The Erhu has been central to Chinese traditional folk and classical music for centuries, often referred to as the “Chinese violin.”
Erikundi
The Erikundi is a Cuban abakuá shaker made of intertwined reed or grass, traditionally used in Afro-Cuban religious music. This idiophone is played by shaking, producing rhythmic, percussive sounds that accompany ceremonial songs and dances. The Erikundi has been part of Cuban spiritual practices for centuries, reflecting the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Esraj
The Esraj is a North Indian bowed instrument with 20 metal frets and 12 to 15 sympathetic strings, used in classical and devotional music. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing rich, melodic tones that are integral to Indian classical music, particularly in North India. The Esraj has been part of Indian musical traditions for centuries, often used in spiritual and meditative contexts.
Esterilla
The Esterilla is a percussion instrument from Colombia that resembles a small placemat, made of small round pieces of wood woven together. This idiophone is played by bending or rubbing the mat, producing a percussive sound used in Colombian folk music. The Esterilla has been part of Colombian musical culture for generations, often accompanying traditional dances and celebrations.
Esukuti
The Esukuti is a drum and dance of the Isukha and Idakho communities of Western Kenya, traditionally used in celebrations and communal gatherings. This membranophone is played with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that lead the dance and music of the region. The Esukuti has been part of Kenyan musical traditions for centuries.
