Alphabetical List of Instruments – G
From the traditional Gadulka fiddle from Bulgarian to the medieval Gyterne Europen lute, learn more about the 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.
Gadulka
The Gadulka is an upright fiddle with three or four strings, traditionally played in Bulgarian folk music. It is held vertically and played with a bow, similar to a violin. This instrument falls under the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of chordophones due to its stringed nature. The Gadulka has been a part of Bulgarian culture for centuries and is primarily used in traditional Bulgarian music genres.
Gadje
The Gadje is a Croatian bagpipe made from tanned sheep or goat leather, featuring a wooden chanter, blowpipe, and drone. Musicians play it by blowing into the blowpipe to fill the bag with air, which is then squeezed to produce sound through the chanter and drone. It is classified as an aerophone within the Hornbostel-Sachs system. The Gadje has been used for many years across various regions of Croatia, particularly in folk music traditions.
Gadzo
The Gadzo is a tall cylindrical drum from Ghana, traditionally made with a head of antelope skin. It is played either with the hands or using one hand and a stick, producing deep, resonant tones. This instrument is classified as a membranophone under the Hornbostel-Sachs system. It is a traditional drum of the Ewe people of Ghana, often used in ceremonial and social dance music.
Gaida
The Gaida is a type of bagpipe found throughout the Balkans and Southeast Europe, including Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece. It consists of a goatskin bag and a wooden chanter and drone, played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound. As an aerophone, it is used in various traditional music genres of the region, with a history spanning several centuries.
Gaita
The Gaita refers to various types of bagpipes and double-reed instruments across Spain and Latin America. The Spanish version, particularly popular in Galicia and Asturias, features a single drone and a leather bag. It is classified as an aerophone and has been used in Spanish folk music for centuries. Other variations include a double-reed instrument in the Basque Country and a vertical flute in Colombia, each used in their respective traditional music styles.
Gamelan
Gamelan is a traditional Indonesian percussion orchestra consisting of gongs, metallophones, and drums. Each instrument is struck with mallets to produce resonant, tuned tones, and the ensemble plays intricate, layered rhythms. It is classified as an idiophone and membranophone ensemble in the Hornbostel-Sachs system. Gamelan music is an ancient tradition in Indonesia, deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual life of the region, particularly in Java and Bali.
Gandingan
The Gandingan is a set of four large, vertically-hung gongs used in the Philippines, particularly in the Maguindanaoan kulintang ensemble. Musicians strike the gongs with mallets to create a melodic percussive sound. Classified as an idiophone, the Gandingan has been an essential part of traditional Filipino music for centuries, particularly in ceremonies and social gatherings.
Ganza
The Ganza is a large tube shaker from Brazil, typically made of metal and filled with small pellets. Musicians shake it rhythmically to create a percussive sound, commonly used in samba and other Brazilian music genres. This instrument falls under the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of idiophones. The Ganza has been integral to Brazilian music for decades, adding texture and rhythm to various traditional and modern music styles.
Gaohu
The Gaohu is a smaller version of the erhu, a Chinese bowed lute, developed in the 1920s for Cantonese music. It has a smaller body and higher pitch, played with a bow while held on the lap. The Gaohu is classified as a chordophone, and it originated in Southern China. It is a relatively recent addition to traditional Chinese music, used primarily in Cantonese opera and orchestral music.
Garamut
The Garamut is a massive slit log drum from Papua New Guinea, carved from a large tree trunk. Musicians strike the log with wooden sticks to produce deep, resonant tones. Classified as an idiophone, the Garamut has been used for centuries in Papua New Guinea, primarily in ceremonial and communication contexts within traditional village life.
Gaval
The Gaval is an Azerbaijani frame drum with jingles attached inside the frame, traditionally made from fish skin. It is played by striking or shaking the drum, producing a rhythmic, jingling sound. The Gaval is classified as a membranophone with idiophonic properties. This instrument has a long history in Azerbaijani music, especially in folk and classical Mugham performances.
Gayageum
The gayageum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument with 12 silk strings stretched across a long wooden soundboard. It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers or with a pick, producing resonant and melodic tones. Classified as a chordophone, the gayageum originated in Korea over 1,400 years ago during the Three Kingdoms period. It is widely used in traditional Korean music, including court music, folk songs, and modern adaptations.
G’bendi
The G’bendi is an earth bow used by the Baka people of Southeast Cameroon, featuring a single string stretched over a thin wooden board placed on the ground. The player plucks the string to produce a resonant tone, with the earth acting as the resonator. Classified as a chordophone, the G’bendi is deeply rooted in the traditional music of the Baka people and has been used for many generations.
Geedal
The Geedal is a bow-harp with five to seven strings from the Bayaka people of the Central African Republic. Musicians pluck the strings with their fingers to create melodic tunes. As a chordophone, the Geedal has been part of the Bayaka culture for centuries, playing a role in their ceremonial and storytelling music.
Gehu
The Gehu is a Chinese bowed string instrument with four strings, similar in appearance to the cello. It is played with a bow and has versions that differ in size, including the da-gehu (large) and diyin-gehu (bass). Classified as a chordophone, the Gehu was developed in the 20th century and is used in modern Chinese orchestras to provide a deeper, bass-rich sound.
Gendang
The Gendang is a two-headed drum from Indonesia and Malaysia, known as kendang in Java. Musicians play it with their hands, producing rhythmic patterns essential to Gamelan and other traditional Southeast Asian music. As a membranophone, the Gendang has been used for centuries in various ceremonial and social music contexts across Indonesia and Malaysia.
Gender
The Gender is a metal xylophone used in the Gamelan orchestras of Bali and Java, Indonesia. Musicians strike the metal bars with mallets to produce melodic, resonant tones. Classified as an idiophone, the Gender has been a key instrument in Indonesian Gamelan music for centuries, providing melodic and harmonic depth to the ensemble.
Geomungo
The Geomungo is a traditional Korean zither-like instrument with six strings, played using a bamboo stick called a *suldae*. It has a rectangular body made from paulownia wood, producing deep and resonant tones. As a chordophone, the Geomungo is used in both court and folk music, known for its distinctive sound and historical significance dating back to the pre 7th century Goguryeo period.
Ghatam
The Ghatam is a South Indian clay pot drum, played by striking its surface with fingers and palms. Classified as an idiophone, the Ghatam is integral to Carnatic classical music, providing a unique percussive texture. The Ghatam has been used in Indian music for centuries and remains a popular instrument in both traditional and contemporary Indian music settings.
Ghatam The Ghatam is a South Indian clay pot drum, played by striking its surface with fingers and palms. Classified as an idiophone, the Ghatam is integral to Carnatic classical music, providing a unique percussive texture. The Ghatam has been used in Indian music for centuries and remains a popular instrument in both traditional and contemporary Indian music settings.
Ghaval
The Ghaval is an Azerbaijani frame drum with jingles attached inside the frame, traditionally made from fish skin. It is played by striking or shaking the drum, producing a rhythmic, jingling sound. The Gaval is classified as a membranophone with idiophonic properties. This instrument has a long history in Azerbaijani music, especially in folk and classical Mugham performances.
Gheychak
The Gheychak is a fiddle from Baluchistan, an area in Iran near the border with Pakistan. It has a distinctive sound and is played with a bow. As a chordophone, the Gheychak is used in traditional Baluchi music and has been part of the region’s musical heritage for many centuries.
Ghironda
The Ghironda is an Italian hurdy-gurdy, a stringed instrument played by turning a crank attached to a wheel that rubs against the strings. Classified as a chordophone, the Ghironda has been used in European folk music since the medieval period, especially in Italy and France. It produces a continuous drone and melody simultaneously, often accompanying dance music.
Ghuzeng
The Ghuzeng, also known as the Guzheng, is a Chinese box zither with 21 strings tuned pentatonically and played by plucking the strings with fingers or plectra. As a chordophone, the Guzheng has a history dating back over 2,000 years and is a prominent instrument in traditional Chinese music, including folk, classical, and contemporary styles.
Gilo stones
The Gilo stones are an instrument from the Solomon Islands, created by striking specific stones with bamboo sticks to produce sounds reminiscent of running water. Classified as lithophones, the Gilo stones are used in traditional music to evoke natural sounds and have been part of the Solomon Islands’ cultural heritage for many generations.
Giong
Giong are Vietnamese stamping tubes made of large bamboo pipes, struck on the ground or a stone to produce a low percussive sound. Classified as idiophones, Giong are native to the highland regions of Vietnam and are used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. These instruments have been part of Vietnamese culture for centuries.
Giri
The Giri is a Ghanaian xylophone with wooden bars played with mallets, producing melodic tunes. As an idiophone, the Giri is central to traditional Ghanaian music, particularly in ceremonial and social contexts. It has been used for many generations in the music of the people of Ghana.
Glockenspiel
The Glockenspiel is a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars arranged in two rows and played with small mallets. It is classified as an idiophone and has roots in European classical music, where it has been used since the 17th century. The Glockenspiel is known for its bright, bell-like tones, often featured in orchestral and marching band music.
Goblet drum
The Goblet drum, also known as the darbuka, is a single-headed drum with a goblet shape, typically made of wood, metal, or pottery. Played with the fingers and palms, it is classified as a membranophone and is commonly used in Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern European music. The drum has a history dating back to ancient times and is integral to the rhythmic foundation of many traditional music genres.
Gogo
The Gogo, better known as the sintir, is a Gnawan lute from Morocco with three strings and a body often carved from wood. It is played by plucking the strings, creating deep, resonant tones. Classified as a chordophone, the Gogo has been a part of Moroccan Gnawa music for centuries, often used in spiritual and ritual performances.
Goje
The Goje is a one-string fiddle from northern Ghana, with a snakeskin-covered gourd bowl and a bow made of horsehair. Played with a bow, it produces a distinct, resonant sound and is classified as a chordophone. The Goje is traditionally used in West African music, especially in Hausa and Dagomba cultures, and has been a part of these musical traditions for generations.
Gome
The Gome is a rectangular frame drum from Ghana, played with both hands and feet, with the player sitting on the drum to adjust the pitch. As a membranophone, it is integral to Ghanaian traditional music, especially in dance and social gatherings. The Gome has been used for many generations in the music of the Ewe people of Ghana.
Gong
The Gong is a large, circular metal plate used as a percussion instrument, traditionally found in Asia. It is struck with a padded hammer to produce a deep, resonant sound. Classified as an idiophone, the Gong has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, orchestral music, and martial arts practices across China, Indonesia, and other Asian cultures.
Gongguluur
Gongguluur is a term used in Tuva for ‘gonging,’ where hand bells are clashed together for a percussive effect. As an idiophone, Gongguluur is used in traditional Tuvan music, often in shamanic rituals and folk ceremonies. This technique has been part of Tuvan culture for many generations.
Gongo
The Gongo refers to bells used in Ghanaian music, typically played with a stick. Classified as idiophones, these bells are integral to the traditional music of various ethnic groups in Ghana, providing rhythmic patterns in dance and ceremonial music. The use of Gongo bells has been part of Ghanaian culture for centuries.
Gongon
The Gongon is a Ghanaian cowbell, commonly played with a stick in traditional music. As an idiophone, it provides a steady rhythm that is essential to Ghanaian drumming ensembles, particularly in Ewe and Ashanti music traditions. The Gongon has a long history in Ghanaian cultural and musical practices.
Gonje
The Gonje is a bowed lute from Ghana, often made with a gourd body and a snakeskin drumhead. Played with a bow, it produces a resonant, haunting sound and is classified as a chordophone. The Gonje is used in traditional Hausa and Dagomba music and has been a part of these cultures for many generations.
Gonkogu
The Gonkogu is a set of bells used in Ghanaian music, typically played in pairs to create interlocking rhythms. Classified as idiophones, they are essential to the rhythmic structure of traditional Ghanaian music, especially in Ewe drumming ensembles. The Gonkogu has been used for centuries in Ghana’s musical traditions.
Gordon
The Gordon is the Romanian term for an acoustic bass, typically used in traditional and classical music. As a chordophone, the Gordon provides the bass foundation in ensembles and has been part of Romanian music culture for many years.
Gorodo
The Gorodo is an accordion from Madagascar, commonly used in Malagasy music. As a free-reed aerophone, the Gorodo is played by compressing and expanding the bellows while pressing buttons or keys to produce melody and harmony. It has been an integral part of Malagasy music for over a century.
Gorong talmbat
The Gorong talmbat is a small tenor drum used in Wolof sabar drum sets in Senegal. Played with a stick, it is classified as a membranophone and provides rhythmic accompaniment in traditional Wolof music, especially in dance and social ceremonies. The Gorong talmbat has been a part of Senegalese music for generations.
Gorong yeguel
The Gorong yeguel is a small, tight drum used in Wolof sabar drum sets in Senegal, often accompanying the main rhythms. It is classified as a membranophone and is essential to the complex, interlocking rhythms of Wolof music. This drum has been a part of Senegalese musical traditions for many years.
Gourd
A Gourd refers to the dried, hollowed-out shell of a vine fruit from the cucurbita family, used in various musical instruments like shakers, rattles, and resonators. Classified as an idiophone when used as a percussion instrument, gourds have been used in traditional music worldwide, including Africa, the Americas, and Asia, for centuries.
Gralla
The Gralla is a traditional reed instrument made from wood, about 70 cm long, commonly found in the Catalan region of Spain. It is played by blowing into the mouthpiece to produce a sharp, piercing sound and is classified as an aerophone. The Gralla has been used in Catalan folk music for centuries, particularly in festivals and processions.
Griezyne
The Griezyne is a fiddle from Lithuania, traditionally used in Lithuanian folk music. Played with a bow, it produces a rich, melodic sound and is classified as a chordophone. The Griezyne has been a part of Lithuanian musical heritage for many generations, often accompanying dances and songs.
Grumla
The Grumla is a Czech jew’s harp, a small metal instrument played by plucking a reed with the finger while holding the frame against the teeth. As an idiophone, it produces a twanging sound and has been used in traditional Czech music for centuries, particularly in folk songs and dances.
Gu
The Gu is the common Chinese name for a drum, used in various traditional and classical Chinese music. Classified as a membranophone, Gu drums come in different sizes and types, each with its own role in Chinese musical ensembles. The Gu has been central to Chinese music for thousands of years, used in everything from religious ceremonies to modern performances.
Guacharaca
The Guacharaca is a Colombian cane scraper, originally rubbed with an animal bone to produce a raspy sound. Classified as an idiophone, it is a key instrument in vallenato and cumbia music, adding a distinctive rhythmic texture. The Guacharaca has been used in Colombian music for many years and remains a vital part of its traditional sound.
Guaché
The Guaché is a Colombian wooden shaker, filled with seeds or beads, and used in traditional Colombian music. As an idiophone, it is shaken to produce a rhythmic sound, commonly used in cumbia and other folk music genres. The Guaché has a long history in Colombian music, providing essential percussive elements to many traditional rhythms.
Gua-gua
The Gua-gua is a hollow bamboo stick with a slit, mounted on a stand and struck with a stick called palito. It is classified as an idiophone and is used in Cuban music, particularly in Afro-Cuban genres like rumba and son. The Gua-gua has been a part of Cuban musical culture for many generations, contributing to the rich rhythmic texture of traditional and contemporary music.
Guan
The Guan is a wood or bamboo cylinder fitted with a reed mouthpiece, used in traditional Chinese music. Played by blowing air into the reed, it produces a nasal, reedy tone and is classified as an aerophone. The Guan has been a part of Chinese music for centuries, often used in folk and classical ensembles.
Guanzi
The Guanzi is a short pipe made of bamboo or hardwood with a large double reed mounted on the blowing end, used in Chinese music. It produces a strong, penetrating sound and is classified as an aerophone. The Guanzi has a long history in Chinese music, particularly in traditional opera and folk performances.
Guarará
The Guarará is a metal tube shaker from Brazil, filled with small pellets and used in traditional Brazilian music. As an idiophone, it is shaken to produce a rhythmic sound, often used in samba and other Afro-Brazilian music styles. The Guarará has been a part of Brazilian music for many years, contributing to its vibrant and energetic sound.
Guases
Guases are tubular shakers from Colombia, typically made from bamboo or wood and filled with seeds or beads. Classified as idiophones, they are shaken to create rhythmic patterns, commonly used in Colombian folk music. Guases have been used in Colombian music for generations, adding a distinctive percussive element to traditional rhythms.
Guayo
The Guayo is a serrated gourd that is scraped with a stick, used as a percussion instrument in the Dominican Republic. Classified as an idiophone, it produces a raspy, rhythmic sound and is commonly used in merengue and other Dominican music genres. The Guayo has a long history in Dominican music, providing essential rhythmic support in traditional ensembles.
Guda
The Guda is the name given to the double chanter polyphonic bagpipe by the Laz people of Turkey. Played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanters, it is classified as an aerophone. The Guda has been a part of Laz cultural and musical traditions for many generations, often used in folk music.
Gudastviri
The Gudastviri is a droneless, double-chantered Georgian bagpipe. It is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanters, classified as an aerophone. The Gudastviri has been used in Georgian folk music for centuries, especially in the regions of Svaneti and Racha.
Gudok
The Gudok is a fiddle from Russia, traditionally used in Russian folk music. Played with a bow, it produces a rich, melodic sound and is classified as a chordophone. The Gudok has a long history in Russian music, often accompanying folk dances and songs.
Gudu
The Gudu is a small support drum from Ghana, mostly played with sticks. Classified as a membranophone, it provides rhythmic support in traditional Ghanaian music, especially in drumming ensembles. The Gudu has been part of Ghanaian musical traditions for many generations.
Güira
The Güira is a scraper made with perforated tin, rubbed rhythmically with a fork, used in Dominican Republic music. Classified as an idiophone, it produces a raspy, metallic sound and is commonly used in merengue and bachata music. The Güira has been a part of Dominican music for many years, providing essential rhythmic texture.
Güiro
The Güiro is a scraper made from a fretted gourd, rubbed with a stick, used in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Classified as an idiophone, it produces a distinctive raspy sound and is commonly used in genres like son, salsa, and cumbia. The Güiro has been a part of Caribbean music for centuries, contributing to the rhythmic foundation of these genres.
Gudugudu
The Gudugudu is a small wood kettle drum from Nigeria, played with two long thin rawhide sticks. Classified as a membranophone, it produces a deep, resonant sound and is used in traditional Yoruba music, particularly in religious and ceremonial contexts. The Gudugudu has been a part of Nigerian music for many generations.
Gugu
The Gugu is a log drum from South Sudan, played by striking the hollowed-out log with sticks. Classified as an idiophone, it produces deep, resonant tones and is used in traditional music and dance rituals. The Gugu has been part of South Sudanese music for many generations, often used to communicate messages and accompany ceremonies.
Güícharo
The Güícharo is a Puerto Rican variety of the güiro, distinguished by its thinner grooves, and played by rubbing a stick along the serrated surface. Classified as an idiophone, it produces a rhythmic, scraping sound and is commonly used in Puerto Rican folk music. The Güícharo has been a part of Puerto Rican music for many years, providing essential rhythmic support in traditional ensembles.
Guimbarda
The Guimbarda is a Spanish jew’s harp, a small metal instrument played by plucking a reed while holding the frame against the teeth. Classified as an idiophone, it produces a twanging sound and has been used in traditional Spanish music for centuries, particularly in folk songs and dances.
Guimbri
The Guimbri is a Gnawa three-stringed bass instrument from Morocco, plucked to produce deep, resonant tones. Classified as a chordophone, the Guimbri has been a part of Moroccan Gnawa music for centuries, often used in spiritual and ritual performances. The instrument has a rich history and is central to the musical traditions of the Gnawa people.
Guitar
The Guitar is a stringed instrument originally from Spain, with a large, flat-backed sound box, a curved shape, a fretted neck, and six strings. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and is used in a wide range of musical genres, including classical, flamenco, rock, and jazz. The Guitar has been a central instrument in global music for centuries, with variations like the classical guitar, electric guitar, and flamenco guitar.
Guitarra de Golpe
The Guitarra de Golpe is a Mexican variation of the Spanish guitar, about 3/4 the size of a standard guitar, used as a rhythmic instrument in mariachi music. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and has been a part of Mexican music for many years. The tuning can vary from region to region, adding to its versatility in traditional music.
Guitarra de son
The Guitarra de son is a guitar used in son jarocho, a traditional Mexican music style. Also known as requinto jarocho, it is a smaller guitar with a bright, resonant tone. Classified as a chordophone, it has been a key instrument in son jarocho for centuries, contributing to the lively, rhythmic sound of this genre.
Guitarra portuguesa
The Guitarra portuguesa is a double six-stringed, teardrop-shaped guitar that gives Portuguese fado music its distinctive bright, metallic timbre. Classified as a chordophone, it is traditionally played by men, both as an accompaniment to fado singers and as a solo instrument. The Guitarra portuguesa has been central to Portuguese music for centuries, particularly in fado.
Guitarrico
The Guitarrico is a very small Spanish guitar, related to the timple from the Canary Islands and the cavaquinho from Portugal. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and has been a part of Spanish music for many generations. The Guitarrico is often used in folk music and traditional Spanish ensembles.
Guitarrillo
The Guitarrillo is a small guitar with 12 metal strings used in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and has been a part of Spanish and Latin American music for many years. The Guitarrillo is related to other small guitars like the timple and guitarrico.
Guitarro
The Guitarro is a small Spanish five-string guitar, with regional variations like the guitarro manchego, aragonés, and levantino. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and has been a part of Spanish music for centuries. The Guitarro is often used in folk music, accompanying traditional songs and dances.
Guitarrón
The Guitarrón is a large bass guitar from Chile and Mexico, with a short neck, six strings, and no frets on the fingerboard. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by strumming or plucking the strings and provides the bass foundation in mariachi and other Latin American music styles. The Guitarrón has been a central instrument in Latin American music for many generations, particularly in mariachi ensembles.
Gulintang
The Gulintang is a Bidayuh wooden xylophone from Sarawak, Malaysia, consisting of 10-11 slats of wood struck with wooden beaters. Classified as an idiophone, it is used in traditional Bidayuh music to celebrate marriages, warn of emergencies, or during the Temarok or harvest festival. The Gulintang has been a part of Bidayuh musical traditions for centuries.
Gulu
The Gulu refers to cylindrical drums from Ghana, traditionally played in drumming ensembles. Classified as membranophones, these drums are played with sticks or hands and have been part of Ghanaian music for many generations, providing rhythmic support in various traditional ceremonies and social gatherings.
Gulusago
The Gulusago is a laced drum from Ghana, typically played with sticks or hands. Classified as a membranophone, it is used in traditional Ghanaian music, particularly in drumming ensembles. The Gulusago has been a part of Ghanaian music for many generations, contributing to the complex rhythmic patterns of traditional music.
Guluzoro
The Guluzoro is a laced drum from Ghana, played with sticks or hands. Classified as a membranophone, it is used in traditional Ghanaian music, particularly in drumming ensembles. The Guluzoro has been a part of Ghanaian music for many generations, contributing to the complex rhythmic patterns of traditional music.
Gungon
The Gungon is a large bass drum from Ghana with a single snare made from a leather string along the upper part of the drumhead. Classified as a membranophone, it is played with sticks and provides the bass foundation in traditional Ghanaian drumming ensembles. The Gungon has been a part of Ghanaian music for centuries, particularly in the music of the Dagomba people.
Gungonga
The Gungonga is an hourglass drum from Ghana, traditionally used in drumming ensembles. Classified as a membranophone, it is played with sticks or hands and has been part of Ghanaian music for many generations, contributing to the complex rhythmic patterns of traditional music.
Gunguru
The Gunguru are globular bells tied to a dancer’s feet in India, used to produce rhythmic sounds during dance performances. Classified as idiophones, Gunguru have been part of Indian classical and folk dance traditions for centuries, providing a rhythmic accompaniment to the dancer’s movements.
Guqin
The Guqin is a seven-stringed plucked zither from China, with a long wooden sound box and a history of over 3,000 years. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by plucking the strings with fingers or plectra and is revered in Chinese music for its refined and meditative sound. The Guqin has been a central instrument in Chinese classical music for centuries, often associated with scholars and poets.
Gung-gong
The Gung-gong is a Dagomba bass drum from Ghana, typically played with sticks. Classified as a membranophone, it provides the bass foundation in traditional Dagomba drumming ensembles and has been a part of Ghanaian music for many generations. The Gung-gong is often used in ceremonies and social gatherings.
Gurkel
The Gurkel is a one-string lute from Mali, traditionally played by plucking the string with fingers. Classified as a chordophone, it is used in traditional Malian music, often accompanying songs and storytelling. The Gurkel has been a part of Malian musical traditions for many generations.
Gusle
The Gusle is a Serbian and Montenegrin one-stringed fiddle made of thirty horsehairs, held between the legs and supported on one thigh. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by bowing the string, producing harmonics and a resonant sound. The Gusle has been a central instrument in Serbian and Montenegrin folk music for centuries, often used to accompany epic poetry and storytelling.
Gusli
The Gusli is a traditional Russian zither with 16 metal strings, played by plucking the strings with fingers. Classified as a chordophone, it is used in Russian folk music, often accompanying dances and songs. The Gusli has been a part of Russian musical traditions for many generations.
Guzheng
The Guzheng, also known as the zheng, is a traditional Chinese plucked zither with 21 strings, tuned pentatonically and played with fingers or plectra. Classified as a chordophone, it has a history dating back over 2,000 years and is a prominent instrument in traditional Chinese music, including folk, classical, and contemporary styles. The Guzheng is considered the parent of the Japanese koto and is an essential part of Chinese cultural heritage.
Gwata gourds
The Gwata gourds are an instrument from Uganda, used in popular dances and played by slapping the gourds with a handheld fan of metal spokes. Classified as idiophones, they produce a rhythmic, percussive sound and have been a part of Ugandan music for many generations. The Gwata gourds are often used in traditional ceremonies and social gatherings.
Gyaling
The Gyaling is a Tibetan oboe, played in pairs by Tibetan monks in Buddhist rites. Classified as an aerophone, it is played using circular breathing to produce a continuous, piercing sound. The Gyaling has been a part of Tibetan Buddhist music for centuries, often used in religious ceremonies and rituals.
Gyil
The Gyil is a long xylophone from Ghana, about 1.5 meters long, with seventeen keys and corresponding gourd resonators. Classified as an idiophone, it is used in traditional Ghanaian music, particularly in the music of the Dagaaba people. The Gyil has been a part of Ghanaian music for many generations, often used in ceremonies and social gatherings.
Gyjak
The Gyjak is a round-bodied spike fiddle from Turkmenistan and Iran, often used to accompany a bagşy (Turkmen bard). Classified as a chordophone, it has its own repertoire of solo instrumental pieces and has been a part of Turkmen and Iranian music for many generations. The Gyjak is central to the musical traditions of the Turkmen people.
Gyterne
The Gyterne is a short-necked lute, traditionally used in European medieval and Renaissance music. Classified as a chordophone, it is played by plucking the strings with fingers or plectra and has been a part of European music for centuries. The Gyterne is often used in early music ensembles, providing melodic and harmonic support.
