by Ukiwe Michael

Created on: August 15, 2011   Last Updated: September 04, 2011

Music can be defined as sound waves with constant frequency. It is played via various instruments with varying degrees of materials and designs. The construction of these instruments can either be local or industrial. Musical instruments are therefore devices which generate sounds waves with constant frequency which are enjoyable to the ears.

Musical instruments produce sound waves which have certain characteristics by which they can be analysed. These characteristics are as follow: Pitch, Loudness and Quality/Timbre.

Pitch:  This is the position of a note on a musical scale. It depends on the frequency of the musical instrument. The higher the pitch of a musical instrument, the more the frequency.

Loudness: This is the rate of flow of energy per second per unit area perpendicular to the direction of sound wave from a musical instrument. Loudness depends on amplitude or intensity. The greater the intensity, the louder the sound.

Quality: This is the characteristics note of a musical instrument which distinguishes it from another instrument. For instance, if the same note is played on the violin and on the piano, an amateur can differentiate the instruments without seeing them. It depends on the number of overtones or harmonics present (Tone depends on the type of wave). A harmonic is the name given to a note whose frequency is a simple multiple of the fundamental frequency, f0.  Fundamental frequency f0, is the lowest obtainable frequency from a musical instrument.  

Classifications of musical instruments

Musical instruments can basically be classified into three namely: Stringed, Percussion and Wind instruments.

Stringed instruments: These types of instruments make a sound when their strings are plucked. Examples of stringed instruments are Guitar, Sonometer, Violin, Piano, Harp, Cello, Sitar etc.

Percussion Instruments: These types of instruments give musical note when they are hit or struck with object resulting in the vibration of the air column in them. They are referred as they backbone of musical arrangement in collaboration with bass instrument when present.

Percussion instruments can be classified based on their origin, construction and their role in a musical piece. They can be classified into Definite pitch and Indefinite pitch.

Definite Percussion Instruments: They are referred to as pitched or tuned instruments. Examples include the following; Anvil, Caisadrum, Chimes/Tubular bells, Crotales, Glass harmonica, Glass harp, Glockenspiel, Handbells, Hang, Marimba, Mridangam, Steelpan, Tabla, Timpani, Tuned Triangle, Vibraphone, Wind chimes, Xylophone, Xylo-marimba, Talking Drum etc.

Indefinite Percussion Instruments: They are referred to as unpitched, nonpitched, or unturned instruments. Examples include the following; Bass drum, Castanets, Cymbals, Rainstick, Slapstick or whip, Snare drum, Tamtam, Tom-tom, Gong, Tambourine, Rattle, Castanets, Maraca etc.

They can also be classified based on the mode of sound production.

Idiophone: Sound is produced when the whole body of the instrument vibrates. Examples include the following; Bock-a-da-bock, Cabasa, Cajón, Celesta, Chimes, Cowbell, Crash cymbals, Crotales, Güiro, Handbells, Hi-hat, Lummi stick, Marimba, Orchestra bells, Singing bowls, Slit drum, Suspended cymbal, Triangle, Vibraphone, Vibraslap, Wood block, Xylophone etc.

Membranophone: They produce sound when their membranes vibrate. Examples include the following; Bass drum, Bongos, Conga, Darbuka, Djembe, Mridangam, Octoban, Snare drum, Tabla, Timpani, Tom-tom etc.

Chordophone: Most chordophones are stringed instruments but some are percussion. Examples are Hammered dulcimer, Cimbalom, Onayillu etc.

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