Families of Musical Instruments

When we talk about music it is important to know the classification of the instruments in order to improve our vocabulary and to be able to communicate effectively. 

Families of Musical Instrument

A musical instrument is any device that produces a musical sound. The principal types of such instruments, classified by the method of producing sound, are percussion, stringed and wind.

Musical instruments are grouped into families based on how they make sounds. In an orchestra, musicians sit together in these family groups.

Brass instruments

Brass instruments are made of brass or some other metal and make sound when air is blown inside. The musician's lips must buzz, as though making a "raspberry" noise against the mouthpiece. Air then vibrates inside the instrument, which produces a sound. Brass instruments include trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, cornet, and bugle.

Percussion

Most percussion instruments make sounds when they are hit, such as a drum or a tambourine. Others are shaken, such as maracas, and still others may be rubbed, scratched, or whatever else will make the instrument vibrate and thus produce a sound.

Percussion instruments include drums, cymbals, triangle, chimes, tam-tam, glockenspiel, timpani, bells, and xylophone.

String instruments

String instruments produce sound from vibrating strings when the performer plays or sounds the strings. Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the strings with their fingers and others by hitting the strings with a light wooden hammer or by rubbing the strings with a bow. In some keyboard instruments, the musician presses a key that plucks the string. Stringed instruments include the violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, and dulcimer.

Woodwind

Woodwind instruments produce sound when air (wind) is blown inside. Air might be blown across an edge, as with a flute; between a reed and a surface, as with a clarinet; or between two reeds, as with a bassoon. The sound happens when the air vibrates inside. Woodwind instruments include flute, piccolo, clarinet, recorder, bassoon, and oboe.