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Musical Instruments for Sale in our Musical Instrument and Music Equipment Store - BananasMusic.com
Musical Instruments for Sale in our Musical Instrument and Music Equipment Store - BananasMusic.com
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Musical Instruments

Types of Musical Instruments


Musical Instruments are classified by the way they create tones of sound. Each type of musical instrument creates tones in different ways. The most common methods for producing tones are:

Stringed Musical Instruments

In stringed instruments, the sound source is a tensioned, vibrating string. The length, thickness, tension and density of the string all affect the pitch of a given string. Longer, thicker, and looser strings vibrate slower than shorter, thinner, tighter strings. After tuning a stringed instrument, the player can fret (press down) on the strings at certain points to shorten the vibrating portion of the string, thereby changing the tone that is produced.

Stringed Instruments

Stringed Musical Instruments
  • Balalaika
  • Bandurria
  • Bass Guitar
  • Charango
  • Clavicembelo
  • Clavichord
  • Guitar
  • Harp
  • Harpsichord
  • Hooked harp
  • Hurdy gurdy
  • Kissar
  • Lute
  • Lyre
  • Musical bow
  • Piano
  • Psaltery
  • Dulcimer
  • Rebab
  • Ud
  • Ukelele
  • Valiha
  • Violin
  • Viola da gamba
  • Zither

    Wind Musical Instruments

    In wind instruments, the sound source is a vibrating column of air inside a tube. The length and diameter of the vibrating air in the tube affects the pitch. The more volume of air vibrating, the lower the pitch. A wind instrument player can adjust the areas of vibrating air by opening and closing holes along the instruments length.

    Wind Instruments
    Wind Musical Instruments
  • Accordion
  • Alphorn
  • Bagpipes
  • Bass clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Clarinet
  • Conch shell
  • Contrabass Sarrusophone
  • Cornet
  • Didgeridoo
  • English horn
  • Euphonium
  • Flugel horn
  • Duct flute
  • Transverse flute
  • Flute
  • French horn
  • Harmonica
  • Horn
  • Melodeon
  • Natural trumpet
  • Oboe
  • Ocarina
  • Oliphant
  • Ophicleide
  • Organ
  • Recorder
  • Reed pipe
  • Saxhorn
  • Saxophone
  • Serunai
  • Shawm
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Whistle

    Drum and Percussion Instruments

    In percussion instruments, the sound source is a vibrating membrane (like a drum head), or a vibrating piece of material (like a xylaphone). The drummer / percussionist causes the material to vibrate by hitting, striking, shaking, or rubbing the instrument.

    Drum and Percussion Instruments
    Drums and Percussion Musical Instruments
  • Angklung
  • Bass drum
  • Bells
  • Castanets
  • Chimes
  • Cymbals
  • Daiko
  • Darabukka
  • Da'uli
  • Gender
  • Gong
  • Kettle drum
  • Maracas
  • Marimba
  • Mbira or Sanza
  • Snare drum
  • Rattle
  • Talking drum
  • Tambour
  • Tambourine
  • Teponaztli
  • Tom drum
  • Vibraphone
  • Woodblock
  • Xylophone


    Electronic Instruments
  • Theremin
  • Synthesizer


    Musical Instruments and the Science of Sound


    Musical tones are longitudinal vibrations of air, at specific frequencies / wavelengths. Each musical note corresponds to a specific frequency / wavelength. For instance, the standard tuned 'A' note has a frequency of 440 hertz (440hz), which means that the wavelength passes through the air at 440 cycles in one second. The corresponding wavelength of the note 'A' is about .75 meters.

    The Physics and Geometry of Sound and Music

    For more information on the physics and geometry of sound and music, check out these links:

  • The Geometry Behind Music (Banana's Article)

  • Connexions - Frequency, Wavelength and Pitch

  • Connexions - Octaves and the Major-Minor Tonal System

  • Wikipedia - Wavelengths of Musical Instruments

  • Wikipedia - Frequency of Musical Instruments

    Classifications of Musical Instruments

    For more information on classifications of musical instruments, check out these links:

  • Pacific Science Center Musical Instrument Families

  • Musical Instruments in the Yahoo! Directory

  • The CHICO Instrument Encyclopedia

    Major Musical Instrument Manufacturers

    For information on major musical instrument manufacturers, check out these links:

  • Fender Musical Instruments - Guitars, Basses, Amplifiers and Accessories

  • Gibson Musical Instruments - Guitars, Basses, Mandolins, Banjos, Dobros, Amplifiers and Accesssories

  • Yamaha Musical Instruments - Pianos, Drums, Keyboards, Guitars, Basses, Stringed Instruments and Wind Instruments


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