Instruments of the World
Musical instruments from around the world, both rare and common.
Bodhran
A bodhran is a hand-held drum used in traditional Irish music. Bodhran players are an integral part of an Irish music seisun (jam session).
A bodhran is a hand-held drum used in traditional Irish music. Bodhran players are an integral part of an Irish music seisun (jam session).
Sitar
A sitar is a stringed instrument used in Indian Classical Music. The sitar has also been used by western rock musicians such as the Beatles. Learn more about the sitar!
A sitar is a stringed instrument used in Indian Classical Music. The sitar has also been used by western rock musicians such as the Beatles. Learn more about the sitar!
Accordion
The accordion is one of the best-known world music instruments, and people tend to love it or hate it. Learn more about the history of accordions, how accordions work and what genres of music feature the accordion.
The accordion is one of the best-known world music instruments, and people tend to love it or hate it. Learn more about the history of accordions, how accordions work and what genres of music feature the accordion.
Bagpipes
The bagpipes are a traditional instrument of the Scottish Highlands.
The bagpipes are a traditional instrument of the Scottish Highlands.
Banjo
The banjo is considered by some to be the only uniquely american musical instrument. Banjoes are descendants of African instruments, brought to America by slaves.
The banjo is considered by some to be the only uniquely american musical instrument. Banjoes are descendants of African instruments, brought to America by slaves.
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is perhaps the oldest musical instrument from the wind family that exists. The didgeridoo is native to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
The didgeridoo is perhaps the oldest musical instrument from the wind family that exists. The didgeridoo is native to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
Djembe
A djembe is a very popular type of hand drum. Djembes are popular among both professional and amateur musicians. Djembes are common elements in drum circles.
A djembe is a very popular type of hand drum. Djembes are popular among both professional and amateur musicians. Djembes are common elements in drum circles.
Fiddle
The fiddle is by far one of the most popular instruments in ethnic music throughout the world. The fiddle's portability and small size, as well as its voice-like sound, has made it travel throughout the world. Fiddle music is, almost always, music for dancing.
The fiddle is by far one of the most popular instruments in ethnic music throughout the world. The fiddle's portability and small size, as well as its voice-like sound, has made it travel throughout the world. Fiddle music is, almost always, music for dancing.
Fiddlesticks
Kevin Wimmer and Linzay Young from the Red Stick Ramblers perform "fiddlesticks", a style of fiddle playing where one player bows the fiddle and the other drums on it with thin wooden sticks. Here, they perform the Cajun song "J'Ete Au Bal".
Kevin Wimmer and Linzay Young from the Red Stick Ramblers perform "fiddlesticks", a style of fiddle playing where one player bows the fiddle and the other drums on it with thin wooden sticks. Here, they perform the Cajun song "J'Ete Au Bal".
Kora
A kora is a 21-stringed harp made from a gourd and popular in West Africa
A kora is a 21-stringed harp made from a gourd and popular in West Africa
Mbira
The mbira is the national instrument of Zimbabwe. The mbira is of the lamellophone family of musical instruments, and consists of a board or block with attached metal strips. These strips are tuned as keys, and plucked or flipped to play melody and rhythm. Mbira music is considered sacred to the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
The mbira is the national instrument of Zimbabwe. The mbira is of the lamellophone family of musical instruments, and consists of a board or block with attached metal strips. These strips are tuned as keys, and plucked or flipped to play melody and rhythm. Mbira music is considered sacred to the Shona people of Zimbabwe.
Oud
The oud (or ud) is one of the oldest stringed instruments in existence, and is still regularly played today. It as an ancestor of the lute, and subsequently of the mandolin and guitar.
The oud (or ud) is one of the oldest stringed instruments in existence, and is still regularly played today. It as an ancestor of the lute, and subsequently of the mandolin and guitar.