Classification of Instruments
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.