History Of Musical Instruments
History of musical instruments can be dated back to mythological times and ancient times, though there are no much records of it. The first musical instruments to be used by man were stampers, rattles and numerous drums. Since then, musical instruments have evolved in shapes and sizes and their use have widened over the period of time.
Various categories are:
1. Wind instruments: E.g. trumpets, clarinets, flutes and bagpipes. These instruments create music via column of air that makes the instrument vibrate when air is blown by mouth.
2. String instruments: E.g. guitar or mandolin. Sound is generated by vibration created by plucking of the strings.
3. Electronic instruments: E.g. drums, guitar, keyboard. Music is produces by electronic means.
4. Keyboard instruments: E.g. Organs and pianos. Music is produced by use of keyboard.
Different musical instruments used during different periods are:
1. Ancient: Ancient musical instruments relate to civilizations such as India, China, Roman, Persia, Greece, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. The instruments used were Barbat, Robab, Santour and tabla from Persia, guqin, strings, bamboo flute, percussion from China, harp from Egypt, tabla, khole, tanpura, harmonium, sarod and sitar from India.
2 Medieval: Flute, pan flute, lute, gitten, mandora, dulcimers, Jew’s harp and trombone.
3. Baroque: Baroque guitar, lute, Viol, Baroque trumpet, harpsichord, Baroque violin and Oboe da caccia.
4. 1763–1846- Bass viol, Treble recorder, Archlute, Pedal harp, Baryton, Mandore, mandolin, violin, Oboe, Buffo harpsichord, French horn, Spinet, Octave spinet, The Glass Virginal, English guitar, Hardanger fiddle, The Theewes Claviorgan, The Queen Elizabeth Virginal and spinet.
5. Contemporary instruments: Violas, violins, bows, mandolins, cellos and
Double basses.
