Five General Groups Of Musical Instruments
The common way to group musical instruments is by Western orchestra that includes: strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. But this method does not include numerous non-orchestral instruments. The categories that include all the musical instruments are:
1. Chordophones: In a chordophone, sound is generated by vibrating strings. The main groups can be divided based on relationship between the strings and the resonator. They are
Zithers, e.g. a piano, hammered dulcimer, plucked harpsichord, Appalachian dulcimer
Lutes, e.g. guitar, banjo, violin, fiddle
Lyres, e.g. classical Greek lyre
Harps e.g. orchestral harp, Irish harp
Musical bow
2. Aerophones: The sound is generated by vibrating air inside the instrument. Aerophones are divided based on what causes the air to begin vibrating. They are:
Whistles, e.g. recorders, police whistles
Blowhole, e.g. panpipes, fife
Reed, e.g. saxophone, oboe, bagpipes, harmonica, accordion
Cup mouthpiece, e.g. bugle, conch shell
3. Membranophones: The sound starts with vibration of a stretched membrane or skin. Membranophones are divided as per shape of the resonating body of the instrument. They are
Tubular drums, goblet
Kettledrums or vessel drums –round bottoms.
Frame drums, e.g. Tamborines
Friction drums
Mirlitons, e.g. Kazoos
4. Idiophones: Sound is generated by vibration of the instrument itself. Idiophones are divided based on what is done to cause the vibrations.
Percussion e.g. bells, steel drums.
Shaken idiophones, e.g. maracas, eggs, jingle bells
Concussion, e.g. castanets, spoons, claves
Friction
Scraped e.g. guiro, washboard.
Stamping
Plucked e.g. Jew’s harp, mbira or thumb piano
5. Electrophones: Instruments that produce sound using electricity. E.g. Theremins, synthesizers, electric organ.
