Alphabetical List of Instruments – L
From the traditional Labi bamboo flute from China to the Lyre harp of Ancient Greece, 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.
Labi
The labi is a 6-holed bamboo flute used by the Hani community in Yunnan, China. It is played by blowing air into the flute while covering different holes to produce various pitches. This instrument is classified as an aerophone in the Hornbostel–Sachs system. The instrument is native to China, and it has been used for centuries in traditional Hani music, particularly in folk ceremonies and cultural performances.
Lahe
The lahe is a small 3-stringed lute from the Hani community in Yunnan, China. It is played by plucking the strings, producing a resonant, melodic sound. Classified as a chordophone, this traditional instrument is commonly used in Hani folk music and dates back many generations. The lahe reflects the region’s cultural heritage and is typically used in community gatherings and festivals.
Lahute
The lahute is a one-stringed lute, traditionally played by the Kosovar Albanians. It is tuned in fifths and played by plucking or strumming. This chordophone is deeply rooted in folk traditions and is believed to be centuries old. The instrument is mainly used in Albanian folk music to accompany epic poetry and historical storytelling.
Lajas de piedra
The lajas de piedra are small chips of stone used as a percussion instrument in traditional Andalusian folk music from Spain. These stones are struck together to produce rhythmic sounds. Classified as an idiophone, they are integral to certain folk dances and music styles in Andalusia. The use of stones in music is an ancient tradition dating back to prehistoric times, adapted into modern regional performances.
Lali
The lali is a slit-log drum from Fiji, originally used for communication to announce important events like births, deaths, and wars. Musicians play the lali by striking it with sticks. This instrument is classified as an idiophone and has been used in Fijian culture for many centuries. Today, smaller versions of the lali are used in ceremonial music and performances.
Lambe
The lambe is a large upright bass drum used by the Wolof people of Senegal. Played with a mallet, this drum is often part of a sabar drum set. As a membranophone, the lambe is a core instrument in traditional Senegalese music, especially in ceremonial and community gatherings. It is an old instrument, integral to the region’s rich musical heritage.
Langeleik
The langeleik is a Norwegian harmonic zither or dulcimer with one melody string and up to eight drone strings, played with a plectrum. This instrument is classified as a chordophone and has been used in the Valdres region of Norway for many centuries. It dates back to medieval times and is still used today in folk music, particularly in rural communities.
Langspil
The langspil is a bowed drone zither from Iceland, featuring two strings, one of which serves as a drone. The player bows the instrument while it rests on the knee. This chordophone has been a part of Icelandic musical culture for hundreds of years, mainly used in traditional Icelandic folk music to accompany singing or solo instrumental pieces.
Laouto
The laouto is a long-necked, fretted lute with a single sound hole, popular in Greece. It is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum. This chordophone has been used in Greek folk music for centuries, particularly in traditional Greek ensembles. Its roots trace back to ancient times, but it remains prominent in Greek music, especially in rural and island regions.
Lapas
Lapas are limpets’ shells used as percussion instruments in the Canary Islands, played by striking two shells together like castanets. This idiophone is used in traditional folk music of the Canary Islands, with its origins rooted in ancient island cultures. These shells have been part of local music for centuries, especially in dance and folk performances.
Larchemi
The larchemi is a panpipe consisting of six reed pipes, traditionally played in Georgia. Musicians blow across the tops of the pipes to produce different pitches. Classified as an aerophone, this ancient instrument has been part of Georgian folk music for centuries. It is commonly used in traditional Georgian ensembles and folk dances.
Laúd
The laúd is a Spanish lute with a flat back, 12 metal strings, and a pear-shaped body. Played by plucking or strumming, it is classified as a chordophone. The laúd has been used in Spain for several centuries, particularly in traditional folk and classical music ensembles. Its use dates back to the Renaissance period.
Launeddas
The launeddas is a polyphonic reed instrument from Sardinia made up of three canes. Played using circular breathing, this aerophone dates back more than a thousand years. It is a staple in Sardinian folk music, especially during religious festivals and community celebrations.
Laure
The laure is a percussion instrument made up of a bell and a wooden hammer, used in the Ivory Coast. The player strikes the bell with the hammer to produce a rhythmic sound. This idiophone is an essential part of Ivorian traditional music, used for centuries in both ceremonial and folk contexts.
Lavta
The lavta is a long-necked fretted lute similar to the Greek laouto, originating from Turkey. Played by plucking the strings, this chordophone has been part of Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean musical traditions for many centuries. It is commonly used in Ottoman classical music and Turkish folk music.
Lé
The lé is a small drum used in Bahian candombles in Brazil. Musicians strike the drumhead with their hands to create rhythmic patterns. This membranophone has been part of Afro-Brazilian religious music for centuries and is often played during rituals and religious ceremonies in Candomblé worship.
Leena
The leena is a long flute played by the Hopi people in the United States. Musicians blow into the end of the flute to produce melodic tunes. This aerophone has been used for centuries in traditional Hopi music, particularly in ceremonial and spiritual practices.
Leizi bili
The leizi bili is a vertical six-hole flute indigenous to the Naxi ethnic group in Yunnan, China. Played by blowing air into the top and covering the holes to produce different notes, this aerophone has been part of Naxi cultural music for centuries. It is typically used in Naxi folk music and religious ceremonies.
Lera
The lera is a cane flute with 4-6 finger holes, found in the Niger River area of Nigeria. It is played by blowing into the top of the flute while covering the finger holes to produce different pitches. This aerophone has been used in Nigerian folk music for centuries, especially in ceremonial and community performances.
Limbe
The limbe is a side-blown flute made of hardwood or bamboo from Mongolia. Played with circular breathing to create continuous melodies, it is classified as an aerophone. This ancient instrument is commonly used in Mongolian folk and ceremonial music and has been part of Mongolian culture for centuries.
Limbi
The limbi is a Tuvan side-blown flute made of wood or bamboo, traditionally used in Russia. It is played by blowing into the side and manipulating finger holes to create different notes. This aerophone has been part of Tuvan musical traditions for centuries, often used in folk and ceremonial music.
Limbindi
The limbindi is a bow instrument from the Baka forest people of southeast Cameroon. Made with a vine as the cord and a branch as the bow, it is played by plucking or bowing. This chordophone has been used for centuries in Baka ceremonial and folk music.
Linga
The linga is a wooden slit drum from the Central African Republic. Made by hollowing out a tree or block of wood, it is played by striking the top with sticks. Classified as an idiophone, the linga has been used for centuries in traditional music for both communication and musical performances.
Lingbu
The lingbu is a bamboo transverse flute from Tibet, played by blowing across the mouthpiece while manipulating finger holes to create different notes. This aerophone has been part of Tibetan music for centuries, often used in both folk music and religious ceremonies.
Linkwin
The linkwin are large metal cymbals from Myanmar, used as percussion in traditional Burmese music. Played by striking the cymbals together, this idiophone has been part of Burmese ceremonial music for centuries, particularly in Buddhist temple performances.
Lirica
The lirica is a small three-stringed fiddle from Dalmatia, Croatia, played by bowing it like a cello. This chordophone has been used in Croatian folk music for centuries, often in traditional dance music and community celebrations.
Litungu
The litungu is an 8-stringed traditional lyre from the Luhya ethnic group of Kenya, played by plucking the strings. This chordophone has been used in traditional Kenyan folk music for many centuries, often in storytelling and ceremonial music.
Liuqin
The liuqin is a small lute that resembles a miniature version of the pipa, native to China. Played by plucking its strings, this chordophone has been used in Chinese folk and classical music for centuries, especially in ensemble performances and opera.
Lo
The lo is a small flat gong from China, played by striking it with a mallet. This idiophone has been part of Chinese musical traditions for thousands of years, often used in ceremonial and folk music.
Lojki
The lojki are wooden spoons used as percussion instruments in traditional Russian music. Played by striking the spoons together, these idiophones have been used in Russian folk music for centuries, especially in festive dance music.
Lokanga
The lokanga is a three-stringed fiddle from southern Madagascar, played by bowing the strings. This chordophone has been used in Malagasy folk music for many centuries, often accompanying singing and storytelling.
Lotar
The lotar is a pear-shaped lute from Morocco, played by plucking or strumming. This chordophone has been used in traditional Moroccan Berber music for centuries, particularly in folk performances and festivals.
Lote
The lote is a pygmy notched flute, typically played by elders in pygmy communities. This aerophone has been part of pygmy ceremonial music for centuries, often used in religious and communal gatherings.
Lumzdelis
The lumzdelis is a long shepherd’s flute made from aspen or willow, native to Lithuania. It is played by blowing across the mouthpiece and covering finger holes to produce different pitches. This aerophone has been used in Lithuanian folk music for centuries, particularly by shepherds and rural communities.
Lunga
The lunga is a Dagomba talking drum from Ghana, worn around the shoulder and played with a curved stick. This membranophone has been part of traditional Dagomba music for centuries, used for communication and in ceremonial music.
Lur
The lur is a Norwegian wooden horn with roots dating back to the Bronze Age. Played by blowing into the end, this aerophone has been used in Norwegian folk music for centuries, often in rural and ceremonial contexts.
Lusheng
The lusheng is a mouth organ used by various ethnic groups in southwestern China, with pipes of varying lengths. Played by blowing into the mouthpiece, this aerophone has been part of traditional Chinese folk music for centuries, particularly in festive and community performances.
Lute
The lute is a class of stringed instruments with a pear-shaped body, commonly plucked or bowed. Lutes have been used across Europe and the Middle East for thousands of years and are classified as chordophones. They are central to classical and Renaissance music, with modern variations still used in folk and classical traditions.
Lyre
The lyre is a small harp used throughout Classical Antiquity, especially in ancient Greece. It is played by plucking the strings, and it is classified as a chordophone. The lyre dates back thousands of years and was used in Greek epic poetry, music, and storytelling. It remains a symbol of ancient Greek music.
