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About Musical Instruments

A musical instrument is a [tool] constructed or modified with the purpose of making [music]. In principle anything that, produces [sound], and can somehow be controlled by a [musician], can serve as a musical instrument. The expression, however, is reserved generally for items that have a specific musical purpose. The academic study of musical instruments is called [organology].

Types of musical instruments Instruments are often divided by the way in which they generate the initial source of sound:

Instruments that generate sound from matter in its solid-state

[Vocal music], that is, the human voice, is an instrument in its own right. A [singer] generates sounds when airflow from the lungs sets the [vocal cords] into [oscillation]. The fundamental frequency is controlled by the tension of the vocal cords and the [timbre] by the formation of the vocal tract; a wide range of sounds can be created.

[String instrument]s generate a sound when the string is plucked, strummed, slapped, etc. The [frequency] of the wave generated (and therefore the note produced) usually depends on the length of the vibrating portion of the string, its linear density (mass per unit length of string), the tension of each string and the point at which the string is excited; the [timbre] varies with the construction of the resonating cavity. Examples: [guitar]s, [violin]s and [sitar]s. Electric string instruments generate sound by a pickup placed under strings. The [electric guitar] and the [bass guitar] are the most famous examples, but there is a wide variety of new instruments, because the electro-magnetic amplification generates new possibilities. Other Examples: [3rd Bridge], electric baritone, [Yuri Landman].

[Percussion instrument]s create sound when struck. The shape and material of the part of the instrument to be struck and the shape of the resonating cavity, if any, determine the sound of the instrument. Examples: [drum]s, [Bell (instrument)] and [cymbal]s.

[Friction instrument]s are any instrument that use friction to create sound. For example the [Glass harmonica].

[Lamellophone]s create a sound by the plucking of lamellas made from different materials (metal, raphia etc.). These Instruments are tunable, so they do not belong to the [idiophone]s. An example is the [Mbira].

Instruments that generate sound from matter in its gaseous state

[Wind instrument]s generate a sound when a column of air is made to vibrate inside them. The [frequency] of the wave generated is related to the length of the column of air and the shape of the instrument, while the [timbre] of the sound generated is affected by the construction of the instrument and method of tone production. The group is typically subdivided into :

[Woodwind] instruments, such as the [saxophone],[clarinet], [oboe] and [flute],
[Brass instruments], such as the [trumpet], [trombone] and [French horn].

Instruments that generate sound from matter in its liquid state

[Hydraulophone]s generate pressure waves by oscillation, turbulence, or similar disturbance in water. Water instruments are like woodwind instruments in some ways, except that the operative fluid (liquid) is for the most part incompressible fluid, as compared with wind (air) which is highly compressible. Water instruments are called [hydraulophone]s and work best underwater, but are often designed so that they can be heard in a surrounding air medium even though they are typically water-filled or operate in-part underwater.

Instruments that generate sound from matter in its plasma state

[Plasmaphone]s generate pressure waves by oscillation of matter in a high-energy state such as plasma. Examples include the [ionophone], the predecessor of the modern loudspeaker, and the plasmaphone, an acoustic instrument that generates sound in response to direct manipulation of plasma by a musician's fingers.

Quintephones (instruments that generate sound informatically) .

Instruments generate sound either acoustically (from matter in its solid, liquid, gaseous, or higher-energy state), or informatically, from matter in its state of Quintessence (Quintessence, also known as Idea, was the fifth-classical element of Plato and Aristotle).

Instruments that generate sound from quintessence (Idea) use some form of computation, algorithm, or calculative process, whether by analog circuits (as in the Theremin), by digital circuits (as in modern software synthesizers), by mechanical computing (as in the use of the phonograph disk as a sampling instrument), or by optical means (as in instruments like the [Optigan]).

[Electronic instrument]s generate sound through electronic means. They often mimic other instruments in their design, particularly keyboards, drums and guitars. Examples: [synthesizer]s and [theremin]s.

[Quintephone]

Instruments like the [Phonograph] generate sound mechanically, although they record specific samples. Other similar instruments have been built that use mechanical computing rather than electronic computing in order to achieve sound synthesis, storage and recall of sound samples, and mechanical manipulation of sound samples.

[Quintephone]. Instruments like the Optigan use optical storage media. Other similar musical instruments have been made from motion picture film projectors that have an optical sound track.

[Quintephone]. Sound can also be produced by a neural network such as the human brain. This sound can be brought out raw (as in a performance at ICMC 2007) or can be post-processed by passing it through various pitch transposers, and even using it to control other instruments as was done in the DECONcert series Proceedings of the [International Computer Music Conference], August 2007, Copenhagen, Danmark].

User-interfaces for musical instruments Regardless of how the sound in an instrument is produced, many musical instruments have a keyboard as the user-interface.

[Keyboard instrument]s are any instruments that are played with a [musical keyboard]. Every key generates one or more sounds; most keyboard instruments have extra means ([Piano#Pedals]s for a piano, [Organ stop] for an organ) to manipulate these sounds. They may produce sound by wind being fanned ([organ (music)]) or pumped ([accordion]), vibrating strings either hammered ([piano]) or plucked ([harpsichord]), by electronic means ([synthesizer]) or in some other way. Sometimes, instruments that do not usually have a keyboard, such as the [Glockenspiel], are fitted with one. Though they have no moving parts and are struck by mallets held in the player's hands, they possess the same physical arrangement of keys and produce soundwaves in a similar manner.

Musical instrument classification Many [musical instrument classification] exist. To learn about specific instruments, consult the [list of musical instruments] or [list of archaic musical instruments].

History The solid and gas classes of instruments are mentioned in ancient sources, such as Egyptian inscriptions, the Bible and the many thousand year old Hindu Vedas, and probably predate recorded history. The human body, generating both vocal and percussive sounds, may have been the first instrument. Percussion instruments such as stones and hollow logs are another likely candidate. For instance, nine-thousand-year-old bone flutes or recorders have been found in Chinese archeological sites.

Instruments that make sound from matter in its liquid or plasma state, as well as instruments that make sound informatically, e.g. optical, mechanical, or electrical (analog or digital) computing are somewhat newer.

Related articles

[Extended technique]
[Folk instrument] - a description and a list
[Music lessons]
[New interfaces for musical expression]
[Orchestra]
[Shorthand for orchestra instrumentation]
[Custom-made instrument]

Information Reference: Wikipedia.org

Musical Instruments

Questions and Answers

What are the best places to find used musical instruments, particularly in or around Liverpool?

Q) I'm looking to get an electric bass but I'm having trouble finding a shop that carries used musical instruments. In the US, I would typically just go to pawn shops and see what they had in hand, but pawnbrokers here don't appear to deal in musical instruments. Can you tell me what kind of shops I ought to be looking for, or else give me the websites of some UK companies that sell used musical instruments?

A) Try Cash Converters, also buy Guitarist magazine and look at the classifieds in the back. Also try buying the Liverpool Loot classifieds paper. You could also trawl around music shops but you are relying on trade ins. If you are looking for a particular bass, it might be worth leaving your name and number with some music shops.

Can you get Musical Instruments in The Sims 2 on PC?

Q) I don't care if it's download or somewhere on the Sims-the musical instruments I'm talking about are things like guitars and drums.

A) Yes. You need the University expansion pack, but you can get them. Drums, Guitar and bass guitar are available.

musical instruments?

Q) mouthharp/jewsharp

A) What about them? If you're asking whether it's mouth or jews, it's a "jews harp"

Are Sky Musical Instruments as good as the others? I want a Sky saxophone instead of Selmer.?

Q) Are the sky saxophones as good as the selmer? Or even close? I don't have money for a selmer (I'm 14) I want alto.

A) Run, Forrest, run! Sky instruments are junk - there is no SKY factory, they just punch them out and out ANYONE'S name on them. I am a professional woodwind player, teacher, and competition judge in NY. Get used Selmer, Yamaha, Yanigisawa, or other good brand.

What musical instruments did the Vikings have?

Q) Have any harps or lyres been found in their archaeological ship burials? Can any of their poems be set to a beat?

A) I know they had a big long horn called a lur ( Next time you see a packet of Lurpak butter there is a picture of two of them on the packet, or at least there was)

Where can i buy musical instruments from in Doha, Qatar?

Q) Where can i buy musical instruments from in Doha, Qatar? Example guitar, keybaords, drum machines, 8 tracks, strings etce tec etc etc etc

A) Ambassador Music, if thyre still in business . i havent been there since ages

Any ideas for making musical instruments with kids from items such as toilet rolls etc?

A) Fill an old drinks bottle with for example dried lentils, stones or something like that and it can be used as a shaker.

How many musical instruments do you have?

Q) Most people who play on a regular basis tend to have more than one instrument hanging around. 'Been thinking of trying to get a guitar for awhile. Both types maybe. You have to experiment sometime.

A) A piano, two kinds of guitars and a flute....

Why do the muslims think playing musical instruments is wrong?

Q) I heard from an Islamic colleague that playing musical instruments e.g. piano, violin, harp is against muslim law. How is this justified in their view?

A) we DONT think that. we have islamic songs, just as other religions do.. most of them are accompanied by awesome background music. hell, my brother plays the electric guitar.

What musical instruments do they use in punjabi music?

Q) im very intrigued, and whats that flute thing, i wanna buy one, and also them drums

A) The sitar is the guitar- like instrument. The flute-like thing is the pan-pipes. The drums are tambours.

Musical Instruments?

Q) I was just wondering,does anyone play any musical instruments?I play clarinet.If you dont play one,whats your favorite instrument?

A) Meat flute a.k.a one string banjo

Which of these musical instruments do you know ?

Q) Tar,OOD,Kamancheh,Dotar,Daf,Tombak,Santoor,Sitar,Tanbour, Nay,Ghooshmeh,Daiyreh,Ghanoon...(I'm not sure if I know them all !) Those musical instruments that I mentioned are all Persian (Iranian) and they all have a beautiful sound . I can assure you that . You will feel the real art by them . I've even mastered Tar though I'm not Persian . Those incomplete names are : Tombak,Tanbour, Sitar,Santour. well "me" you're wrong . whenever I hear the sound of those instruments like drum and...I get headache !! I mean "Mel" . I meant Setar not Sitar ! sorry... Setar is different.

A) The key word for you today is "assimilation". Let go of these old countryish names and get with America re: guitars, drums, bass, etc.

What are some good charities that focus on giving musical instruments to impoverished kids?

Q) I'm looking for a good charity to benefit that deals with giving musical instruments to kids and adults who cannot afford them, where could I go. please dont say save the music...not what im looking for

A) vh1 save the music

How do I start a charitable organization to provide musical instruments and lessons?

Q) to underprivileged children? I don't think there's one in my area. I know there is one in Atlanta (which is far away from me). I'm a music teacher who's unemployed at the moment, and I'd like to use my time to do what I do best for kids, even if it doesn't pay. I was thinking we could start with getting donations of musical instruments to distribute to interested children, and eventually find funding to provide lessons. I know nothing about starting this type of non-profit, but I thought I might start by talking to school principals. Any other ideas?

A) Start by applying for a 501C3. You will need this.

Can I connect musical instruments to my old imac?

Q) I have a old blue imac, the only inputs on the back I can find that might be usefull is a Mic in slot. The musical instruments I have are a electric guitar, drum set, microphone, keyboard with midi in an out. I want to connect any of these or all to my imac, but how? Are there adapters I need to buy?

A) You need this http://computers.pricegrabber.com/cables-adapters/m/12587/ There is also a MIDI box you can use for connecting multiple instruments to Garageband http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garageband.htm

where can i buy cheap but functional 2nd hand power amplifiers and musical instruments in toronto, canada?

Q) im looking for source of 2nd hand power amplifiers, woofers, big speakers and musical instruments. the more units the better.

A) I think your best bet is to go to a local pawn shop for guitars, musical instruments, and power amplifier. If you have some electronic knowledge, you should go to brows around the local value villages. You probably can get one in good working condition in very cheap price in those accepting second hand stuffs donation stores.

Songs made by what musical instruments do you enjoy most and why?

Q) Have you ever listened to someone played a musical instrument?

A) the guitar...Just as versatile as the piano. The guitar can be found in almost every genre of music in one form or another. Therefore the guitar, because I love all music (except bad music that is unoriginal and boring). The piano is great depending on who is playing it, however its uses are limited to an extent. The Drums are another favorite, the drums are in everything they are the heart and soul of all music. Without rhythm songs are pretty flat too. I always wanted to play the drums...Guitar is fun too though.

How much do you know about Musical instruments?

Q) If you were a musician and were practicing your flams, your flam paradiddles, your double paradiddles, ruffs, and double drag, what kind of musical instrument would you be playing?

A) a drum, specifically a snare.

What is the best way to fly with a bunch of musical instruments?

Q) I have to leave for California the 29th if I can still get a flight, and was wondering how I would carry all of my musical instruments on a flight. Is there some way to be sure they will get there when I arrive? I have 3 guitars, a cornet, a euphonium, a pair of bongos, and a tamborine I need to take there with me. Any suggestions? Love in Christ, Cal

A) I do NOT suggest you take them on the airplane AT ALL. I suggest you UPS them to the place you are staying, and UPS them back when you are finished. Airlines are HORRIBLE with instruments.

What are some easy to make musical instruments?

Q) have to make a musical instrument for physics class and im lost. must be a string or wind instrument, has to be made of wood, pipes, and/or etc

A) If you fill a pipe or toilet paper roll with rice, bells or beans and put a piece of paper over the ends. They work well. It is like a rain stick. You can also take 2 paper plates and make them face each other and add beans, rice, or jingle bells and staple around the edge. That is a great tambourine. If you have two sticks they make a great sound when you hit them together.