Classification of Instruments

🔹 1. Traditional classification (by orchestral families)

Widely used in Western orchestras:

String instruments

Produce sound by the vibration of strings.

Examples: Violin, guitar, harp, cello.

Wind instruments

Sound is generated by the vibration of air inside the instrument.

Woodwind instruments: Flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone.

Brass instruments: Trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn.

Percussion instruments

Produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped.

Examples: Drums, xylophone, maracas, triangle.

Keyboard instruments

Although sometimes included within other categories, they are usually separated by their mechanism.

Examples: Piano, organ, harpsichord, accordion.

🔹 2. Hornbostel-Sachs Classification (more scientific and universal)

Developed in 1914, it classifies instruments according to how they produce sound:

Idiophones

The body of the instrument vibrates to produce sound.

Examples: Triangle, marimba, bells.

Membranophones

Use a stretched membrane that vibrates.

Examples: Drums, bongos, timpani.

Chordophones

Produce sound by vibrating strings.

Examples: Violin, guitar, piano.

Aerophones

Sound is produced by vibrating a column of air.

Examples: Flute, trumpet, saxophone.

Electrophones

Generate sound using electricity.

Examples: Synthesizer, electric guitar, theremin.