Musical instrument: Difference between revisions
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The tools we have to make music are remarkably diverse, and fall into some commonly-recognized and sometimes overlapping classes: | The tools we have to make music are remarkably diverse, and fall into some commonly-recognized and sometimes overlapping classes: | ||
* ''[[Stringed instrument]]s'' include both ''[[bowed string instrument]]s,'' such as the [[violin]], and [[plucked string instrument]]s, such as the [[guitar]] | * ''[[Stringed instrument]]s'' include both ''[[bowed string instrument]]s,'' such as the [[violin]], and [[plucked string instrument]]s, such as the [[guitar]] | ||
* ''[[Wind instrument]]s,'' | * ''[[Wind instrument]]s,'' sometimes divided into ''[[brass instrument|brass]]'' such as the [[trumpet]] and ''[[woodwind instrument|woodwinds]]'' such as the [[flute]] | ||
* ''[[Keyboard instrument]]s'' such as [[piano]], although this is sometimes classified as a stringed or a percussion instrument, and [[organ]], which is also considered a wind instrument | * ''[[Keyboard instrument]]s'' such as [[piano]], although this is sometimes classified as a stringed or a percussion instrument, and [[organ]], which is also considered a wind instrument | ||
* ''[[Percussion instrument]]s'' such as [[drum]]s | * ''[[Percussion instrument]]s'' such as [[drum]]s | ||
Revision as of 05:15, 1 August 2007
A musical instrument (or simply instrument), from Latin instrumentem, is a device, such as a violin, piano, or drums, for making musical sound. Since music can be made with the human voice, instruments are not necessary, however, to make music--unless the voice itself is considered an instrument, as it often is. If so, then "musical instrument" can be defined simply as "anything that can be used to make music."
The tools we have to make music are remarkably diverse, and fall into some commonly-recognized and sometimes overlapping classes:
- Stringed instruments include both bowed string instruments, such as the violin, and plucked string instruments, such as the guitar
- Wind instruments, sometimes divided into brass such as the trumpet and woodwinds such as the flute
- Keyboard instruments such as piano, although this is sometimes classified as a stringed or a percussion instrument, and organ, which is also considered a wind instrument
- Percussion instruments such as drums
- Electronic instruments such as synthesizers
- (Optionally) Voice such as singing and mouth music