Classification of Instruments

Classification Musical instruments may be classified or grouped in several ways Traditionally, the European culture classifies instruments according to orchestral instrument families.

Orchestral Instruments Woodwind – most were originally made from wood; all produce sound by blowing, some of them by vibrating a reed. Brasswind – originally made from brass; also produce sound by blowing Percussion – these instruments are made from a variety of materials and involve some physical impact (percussion) to produce sound String – These instruments have strings

Some instruments from…

Some instruments from…

Some instruments from…

Some instruments from…

Ethnographic Classification Orchestral classification does not cover the wide variety of instruments and playing styles which are found in various ethnic groups worldwide. Early in the 20th century Erich Moritz von Hornbostel and Curt Sachs derived a system to classify all musical instruments.

Ethnographic Classification The Hornbostel-Sachs system is based on how an instrument creates vibrations in order to produce sound. This is the most widely accepted system of musical instrument classification used today.

Classification of Instruments Hornbostel-Sachs system identifies five categories of instruments. Aerophones Chordophones Idiophones Membranophones Electrophones

Aerophones An aerophone produces its sound by the vibration of air The two main families that are aerophones are woodwind and brass instruments. Most Woodwinds use the air and reeds to vibrate. Brass use air and the player’s lips to vibrate. Some keyboard instruments also use air as the source of vibration and can be considered aerophones. Can you name any Aerophones?

Unusual Aerophones Dgeridoo - Australia Panflute - Peru Bagpipe – British Isles Shakuhachi - Japan Shofar – Middle Eastern (Jewish)

Chordophone Instruments Chordophones are part of the string instrument family. They produce sound by the vibrating of strings. To make the sounds: pluck, bow or strike the strings. This is done by a pick, bow or the musician’s hand. Can you name any Chordophones?

Unusual Chordophones Celtic Harp – British Isles Koto - Japan Washtub Bass – Southern USA, Jamaica Harpsichord - Europe

Electrophone Instruments This is the newest category of instruments. They have only been around since the 20th century. Electrophones produce an electronic sound. The two main families of electrophones are electronic instruments and amplified acoustical instruments. What are some Electrophones that you have heard?

Membranophones Membranophones produce sound when a stretched skin (membrane) vibrates. Different materials can be used to make membranophones, including wood, metal, or ceramics.

Membranophone Instruments These instruments may have definite or indefinite pitch. What does this mean? percussion family These belong to the. How many different kinds of drums do you know?

Idiophone Instruments Idiophones produce a sound by the vibration of the actual instrument itself. These instruments can be struck, rubbed, shaken or plucked. This category belongs to the percussion family. How many can you name?

Can you give examples of each category? Review Instruments can be classified into what 5 categories? Aerophones produce sound by the vibration of what? Chordophones produce sound by the vibration of what? Electrophones produce what kind of sounds? Membranophones produce sound by vibrating what? Idiophones use the vibration of what? Can you give examples of each category?

Instrument Match Aerophone Chordophone Idiophone Membranophone Electrophone Flute Conga Mandolin Synthesizer Pipe Organ Timpani Guiro Amplified Acoustic Guitar Castinets Cello

Acknowledgements Adapted from a presentation found on Lewiston-Porter Central School District’s web site. http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/texth/Hornbostel-Sachs.html http://thebirdfeednyc.com/2012/08/20/musical-instrument-families/