Any mechanism-other than the voice
that produces musical sounds
 WESTERN INSTRUMENTS
1. String
2. Woodwind
3. Brass
4. Percussion
5. Keyboard
6. Electronic


The total range in which an instrument is
played
The violin, viola, cello, harp, and double
bass (bass) make up an orchestra’s string
section.
 Violin- smallest and highest range
 Double bass- biggest and lowest range
 These instruments can be played with a
bow or plucked with the finger.
 Bow- slightly curved stick strung tightly
with horsehair

Often used as a solo instrument
About 2 inches longer than the violin, thus the range is somewhat lower
Member of the violin family but set an octave lower. Also has an endpin to help
with the weight of the instrument.
An ancient plucked-string instrument with a triangular shape
Very heavy tone and less agile than other string instruments. (Car)
Traditionally made from wood but now
usually made from metal or some other
materials.
 Sound is generated by a vibrating air
column in a tube
 All of these instruments have holes that
are opened and closed by fingers or
pads.

Flute and piccolo are played from
blowing across the edge of the mouth
hole
 Rest of the woodwind instruments have a
reed- thin piece of cane that is on the
mouthpiece that vibrates by the air.
 Single Reed- clarinet, saxophone
 Double Reed- oboe, English Horn,
bassoon
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1.
2.
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1.
2.
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1.
2.
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1.
2.
Flute Family
Piccolo
Flute
Clarinet Family
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Oboe Family
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon Family
Bassoon
Contrabassoon
Half the size of the flute and plays an octave higher
High range and extremely agile
Powerful instruments often used at
climaxes and for heroic statements
 Family includes the trumpet, French
Horn, trombone, and tuba.
 Played by blowing into a cup or funnel
shaped mouthpiece
 Brass players can alter the tone by
placing a mute into the bell of the horn
(most common in Jazz)

Instruments that are struck by hand, with
sticks, or with hammers
 Used to emphasize rhythm and to
heighten climaxes

The piano, harpsichord, organ, and
accordion are the best known
 Piano has 88 keys that span more than 7
octaves
 Harpsichord- replaced by the piano
 Pipe Organ- many sets of pipes
controlled from several keyboards and
pedals
 Accordion- free steel reeds controlled by
a treble keyboard

Produce or amplify sound through
electronic means
 Invented in 1904, but has had a serious
impact from 1950 to the present
 Ex. electric piano, organ, guitar, tape
studios, synthesizers, computers, and
other technologies

System of electronic components that generate, modify, and control sound