Instruments Starting with P
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From the traditional native American Paah’ puu’suk’pi drum to the sanke charmers Pungi from India and Pakistann, 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.
Paah’ puu’suk’pi
The Paah’ puu’suk’pi is a traditional Hopi water gourd drum from the United States. This membranophone is made from a hollowed gourd filled with water, which creates a resonant, deep sound when the surface is struck with hands or sticks. The Paah’ puu’suk’pi has been used in Hopi ceremonies and rituals for centuries, playing a vital role in spiritual and cultural practices.
Pahu
The Pahu is a Polynesian bass drum made from hollowed coconut trunks, covered with stretched shark skin, ray skin, or calfskin. This membranophone is played with the palms and fingers, producing deep, resonant tones used in religious and ceremonial music. The Pahu has ancient origins in Polynesia, particularly in Hawaii, where it is integral to hula performances and other cultural rituals.
Pai–ar
The Pai–ar is a bamboo flute from Cambodia. This aerophone is played by blowing across the open end and covering the finger holes to produce different pitches, typically used in traditional Cambodian music. The Pai–ar is part of Cambodia’s rich musical heritage, with roots that extend back several centuries, often featured in classical and folk music ensembles.
Paigu
The Paigu is a set of three to seven tuned drums arranged in a row, originating from China. These membranophones are played with sticks, producing varying pitches that contribute to complex rhythmic patterns in traditional Chinese music. The Paigu drums have been a part of Chinese musical traditions for centuries, particularly in classical and folk music performances.
Paixiao
The Paixiao is an ancient chromatic pan flute made out of bamboo, hailing from China. This aerophone is played by blowing across the open ends of the pipes, each producing a different pitch, and was commonly used in Chinese classical music. The Paixiao dates back to ancient Chinese dynasties and has been used in traditional ceremonies and court music.
Pailas
Pailas, also known as timbales in Cuba, are small metal tom-toms used in Cuban street bands. These membranophones are played with sticks, producing sharp, high-pitched tones that drive the rhythms of salsa and other Afro-Cuban music. The Pailas have been a part of Cuban music for over a century, often featured in carnival and festive performances.
Pakawaj
The Pakawaj is a North Indian double-ended barrel drum made of light wood, played horizontally. This membranophone is played with both hands, producing a deep, resonant sound integral to classical Indian music, especially in dhrupad performances. The Pakawaj has ancient origins in India and remains a vital instrument in traditional and devotional music.
Palheta
The Palheta is a Portuguese double reed instrument, similar to the Spanish dulzaina, with a bell-shaped end and five finger holes. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed and covering the holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional Portuguese folk music. The Palheta has been part of Portuguese musical traditions for centuries, contributing to the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Palitos
Palitos, also known as claves, are small wooden sticks used as a percussion instrument in Cuban music. These idiophones are played by striking the sticks together, producing a sharp, clicking sound that forms the rhythmic backbone of many Cuban musical styles. Palitos have been a fundamental part of Cuban music for centuries, especially in genres like son, salsa, and rumba.
Palmas
Palmas are handclaps used as a percussion instrument in Spanish flamenco music and other Hispanic American genres. This idiophone involves clapping the hands in intricate patterns, adding rhythmic complexity and driving the tempo of the performance. Palmas have been an essential part of flamenco music for centuries, deeply rooted in Andalusian culture.
Palos
Palos are tall drums from the Dominican Republic, also known as atabales, bambula, and quiyombo, made from hollowed trees with goat or cow skin drumheads. These membranophones are played with hands or sticks, producing deep, resonant tones used in Afro-Dominican religious and ceremonial music. Palos have been a part of Dominican culture for centuries, particularly in syncretic religious practices like Santería.
Palo de lluvia
Palo de lluvia, or rain stick, is a hollowed-out shaker tube from Latin America, made of wood, cactus, or other plants and filled with seeds or small stones. This idiophone is played by tilting the tube, allowing the contents to cascade, simulating the sound of falling rain. Palo de lluvia is commonly used in traditional and ceremonial music across Latin America, with roots dating back to indigenous cultures.
Palwei
The Palwei is an end-blown bamboo flute from Myanmar. This aerophone is played by blowing across the open end and covering the finger holes to produce different pitches, commonly used in traditional Burmese music. The Palwei has been part of Myanmar’s musical traditions for centuries, often featured in classical and folk music ensembles.
Pandereta
The Pandereta is a Spanish and Hispanic American tambourine, a round frame drum with jingles attached to the frame. This membranophone is played by striking or shaking, producing rhythmic sounds that enhance traditional music performances. The Pandereta has been part of Spanish and Latin American musical traditions for centuries, often used in religious, folk, and popular music.
Pandeiro
The Pandeiro is a frame drum or tambourine from Portugal, Brazil, and Galicia (Spain), typically with jingles attached to the frame. This membranophone is played by striking or shaking, producing rhythmic patterns essential to genres like samba, choro, and fado. The Pandeiro has been part of Portuguese and Brazilian music for centuries, often featured in folk and popular music.
Pandero
The Pandero is a large Spanish and Hispanic American frame drum, similar to a tambourine but without jingles. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing deep, resonant tones used in traditional and religious music. The Pandero has been part of Iberian and Latin American musical traditions for centuries, often featured in folk and liturgical settings.
Pandero cuadrado
The Pandero cuadrado is a square frame drum from the Peñaparda region of Spain, with a drumhead beaten with a wooden stick. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with a stick, producing sharp, rhythmic sounds used in traditional Spanish music. The Pandero cuadrado has been part of Spanish folk music for centuries, particularly in regional festivals and dances.
Pandura
The Pandura is an ancient Greek and Roman long-necked lute with a flat body and three strings. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings, producing melodic tunes used in classical and folk music of the ancient Mediterranean. The Pandura dates back to antiquity, influencing the development of later European stringed instruments.
Panduri
The Panduri is a fretted three-string lute from the highland and lowland areas of Eastern Georgia. This chordophone is played by strumming or plucking the strings, producing bright, melodic tones used in traditional Georgian music. The Panduri has been part of Georgian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in folk and ritual music.
Pan hu
The Pan hu is a bowed two-string fiddle from China, traditionally used in Chinese classical and folk music. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing melodic tunes typical of Chinese traditional music. The Pan hu has been part of Chinese musical traditions for centuries, often featured in regional operas and ensembles.
Panjtar
The Panjtar is a Uighur tar with a long neck from China, traditionally used in Uighur folk music. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings, producing resonant, melodic tones typical of Central Asian music. The Panjtar has been part of Uighur musical traditions for centuries, often featured in traditional performances and ceremonies.
Panpipe
The Panpipe is a set of tuned cane vertical pipes joined together in a bundle shape, commonly found in various cultures worldwide. This aerophone is played by blowing across the tops of the pipes, each producing a different pitch, used in traditional and folk music. The Panpipe has ancient origins, with variations found in many cultures, including the Andes, China, and Greece.
Papan
The Papan is a set of Bidayuh gongs from Sarawak, Malaysia, traditionally used in Bidayuh ceremonies and rituals. These idiophones are played by striking the gongs with mallets, producing resonant, melodic tones that are central to Bidayuh music. The Papan has been part of Malaysian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in ceremonial and festive settings.
Paraguayan harp
The Paraguayan harp is a diatonic harp with 32 to 46 strings, used in traditional Paraguayan music. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings, producing melodic, resonant tones typical of Paraguayan folk music. The Paraguayan harp has been part of South American musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and popular music.
Paranku
The Paranku is a small one-headed Okinawan cowhide frame drum, traditionally used in Okinawan music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with a bachi, producing sharp, rhythmic sounds typical of Okinawan folk music. The Paranku has been part of Japanese musical traditions for centuries, often featured in regional and festival music.
Pastýřské píštaly
The Pastýřské píštaly is a shepherd’s flute from the Czech Republic, traditionally used in Czech folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, typical of pastoral and rural music. The Pastýřské píštaly has been part of Czech musical traditions for centuries, particularly in folk and ceremonial music.
Pate
The Pate is a slit log drum from the Cook Islands, popular across Polynesia. This idiophone is played by striking the drum with sticks, producing resonant, rhythmic tones used in traditional and ceremonial music. The Pate has been part of Polynesian musical traditions for centuries, often featured in communal and festive settings.
Patenge
The Patenge is a square frame drum from the Democratic Republic of Congo, traditionally used in Congolese music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic patterns that are central to Congolese music. The Patenge has been part of African musical traditions for centuries, often featured in ritual and ceremonial music.
Pattalar
The Pattalar is a traditional boat-shaped xylophone from Myanmar, made out of bamboo or copper. This idiophone is played by striking the bars with mallets, producing melodic, resonant tones used in traditional Burmese music. The Pattalar has been part of Myanmar’s musical traditions for centuries, particularly in classical and folk music ensembles.
Perunchong
The Perunchong is a bamboo ensemble from Sarawak, Malaysia, composed of tuned bamboo rods beaten to imitate gong music. These idiophones are played by striking the bamboo rods with sticks, producing melodic, rhythmic patterns used in traditional music. The Perunchong has been part of Malaysian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and ceremonial music.
Phin
The Phin is a pear-shaped lute from Thailand, traditionally used in Thai folk music. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings, producing bright, melodic tones typical of Thai music. The Phin has been part of Thai musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and popular music.
Phlom slek
The Phlom slek, or “Blow leaf,” is a wind instrument made from the leaves of broad-leaf trees, such as the sakrom and khnoung, from Cambodia. This aerophone is played by blowing across the leaf, producing a whistling sound used in traditional Cambodian music. The Phlom slek has been part of Cambodian musical traditions for centuries, often featured in folk and rural music.
Piano
The Piano is a large keyboard instrument developed in Italy around 1700, with strings that are struck by hammers. This chordophone is played by pressing the keys, which trigger hammers to strike the strings, producing melodic and harmonic tones used in classical, jazz, and popular music. The Piano has been central to Western musical traditions for over three centuries, replacing earlier keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and clavichord.
Pífano
The Pífano is a small, high-pitched flute used in Spanish military bands and the Andean region. This aerophone is played by blowing across the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional and ceremonial music. The Pífano has been part of Spanish and Andean musical traditions for centuries, particularly in military and folk music.
Pi phu thai
The Pi phu thai is a Thai flute, traditionally used in Thai folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes typical of Thai music. The Pi phu thai has been part of Thai musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and ceremonial music.
Piffaro
The Piffaro, also known as a piffero, is a double reed instrument from Italy, traditionally used in Italian folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes typical of Italian music. The Piffaro has been part of Italian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and festive settings.
Pilón
The Pilón is a kitchen pestle used as a percussion instrument in vallenato and other forms of Latin American music. This idiophone is played by striking the pestle against a surface, producing rhythmic patterns that enhance the music. The Pilón has been part of Latin American musical traditions for centuries, often featured in folk and popular music.
Pingullo
The Pingullo is a small six-hole cane flute used throughout the Andean region, originating in Ecuador. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional Andean music. The Pingullo has been part of Andean musical traditions for centuries, particularly in folk and ceremonial music.
Piob Mhor
The Piob Mhor, or Great Highland bagpipe, is a Scottish bagpipe with a conical chanter and three drones. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce continuous melodic tones, often used in traditional Scottish music. The Piob Mhor has been part of Scottish musical traditions for centuries, particularly in military and ceremonial music.
Pipa
The Pipa is a short-necked Chinese lute with a shallow body, traditionally used in Chinese classical and folk music. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers or plectra, producing melodic and harmonic tones typical of Chinese music. The Pipa has been part of Chinese musical traditions for over two millennia, often featured in classical ensembles and solo performances.
Pipiolu
The Pipiolu is a small Sardinian shepherd’s flute, also known as pipaiolu, sulittu, or piffaru. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional Sardinian music. The Pipiolu has been part of Sardinian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral music.
Piri
The Piri is a traditional Korean double-reed wind instrument, made of bamboo and classified as an aerophone. It produces a rich, vibrant sound and is often used in both court and folk music, as well as in Korean ensembles like samulnori. With its origins dating back to the Goryeo period, the Piri plays a significant role in Korean classical music.
Pito
The Pito is a whistle in Spanish, often used in traditional Spanish music. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece, producing a sharp, high-pitched sound used in ceremonial and festive music. The Pito has been part of Spanish musical traditions for centuries, often featured in regional and folk music.
Pito de afilador
The Pito de afilador is a small pan flute-style instrument made out of wood or plastic, used by knife sharpeners in Spain to announce their services. This aerophone is played by blowing across the pipes, producing melodic tunes that signal the sharpener’s presence. The Pito de afilador has been part of Spanish cultural practices for centuries, often associated with traditional street vendors.
Pito herreño
The Pito herreño is a traverse flute from the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands, Spain. This aerophone is played by blowing across the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional Canarian music. The Pito herreño has been part of Canarian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in folk and ceremonial music.
Pistoñ
The Pistoñ is a type of oboe invented by Breton musician Youenn Le Bihan, a contemporary enhancement of the baroque oboe. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional Breton music. The Pistoñ has been part of Breton musical traditions for several decades, particularly in folk and ceremonial music.
Pitkähuilu
The Pitkähuilu is an overtone flute from Finland, traditionally used in Finnish folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce harmonic overtones, typical of Nordic music. The Pitkähuilu has been part of Finnish musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral music.
Pito de paragüeiro
The Pito de paragüeiro is a wooden triangular whistle in the shape of a horse, used in Galicia, Spain, by traveling knife and blade sharpeners. This aerophone is played by blowing into the whistle, producing a sharp sound that signals the sharpener’s presence. The Pito de paragüeiro has been part of Galician cultural practices for centuries, often associated with traditional street vendors.
Piwang
The Piwang is a Tibetan long-necked, two-stringed fiddle from Kham (eastern Tibet), traditionally used in Tibetan folk and religious music. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing resonant, melodic tunes typical of Tibetan music. The Piwang has been part of Tibetan musical traditions for centuries, often featured in religious ceremonies and folk performances.
Płock
The Płock is a box-shaped fiddle with six strings and no fingerboard, originating in the city of Płock in central Poland. This chordophone is played by plucking or bowing the strings, producing melodic tunes typical of Polish traditional music. The Płock fiddle dates back to the 15th century and has been revived in modern times, particularly in folk music performances.
Posaune
The Posaune is the German term for the trombone, a brass instrument traditionally used in Western classical and military music. This aerophone is played by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece and moving a slide to change the pitch, producing deep, resonant tones. The Posaune has been part of Western musical traditions for centuries, particularly in orchestral and brass band music.
Prim
The Prim is a small pear or oval-shaped guitar-like instrument from Croatia, traditionally used in Croatian folk music. This chordophone is played by strumming or plucking the strings, producing melodic tunes that lead the melody in traditional ensembles. The Prim has been part of Croatian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and festive music.
Psaltery
The Psaltery is one of the most ancient musical instruments, a raised wooden board or box with strings stretched parallel to the soundboard. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers or a plectrum, producing melodic and harmonic tones used in religious and folk music. The Psaltery has been part of European musical traditions for millennia, often featured in medieval and Renaissance music.
Pu’ili
The Pu’ili are double bamboo sticks used in Hawaiian hula music, traditionally played by striking them together or against the body. These idiophones produce sharp, rhythmic sounds that enhance the tempo and rhythm of hula performances. The Pu’ili has been part of Hawaiian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in traditional dance and ceremonial music.
Puk
The Puk is a Klezmer bass drum, also known as a baraban, traditionally used in Jewish music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with sticks, producing deep, resonant tones that drive the rhythm in Klezmer ensembles. The Puk has been part of Jewish musical traditions for centuries, particularly in Eastern European folk music.
Pung
The Pung is a wooden barrel drum from the Indian state of Manipur, traditionally used in Manipuri classical music. This membranophone is played horizontally by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic patterns typical of Manipuri dance and music. The Pung has been part of Indian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in religious and ceremonial music.
Pungi
The Pungi is a reed instrument with a gourd air reservoir, traditionally used by snake charmers in India and Pakistan. This aerophone is played by blowing into the gourd and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tunes, often used in traditional and folk music. The Pungi has been part of South Asian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and ceremonial settings.
