Types of Musical Instruments

There are many different types of musical instruments with a wide variety of uses. They are categorized in five main categories.

Types

Musical instruments are generally divided up into groups called percussion, string, woodwind, brass, and keyboard.

Function

Instruments in the different family groups work in different ways to produce sound.

Effects

Different types of instruments produce different sound effects. Woodwinds produce low, heavy sounds and shrill or reedy tones, while string instruments produce a sharp staccato sound known as "pizzicato." Keyboard instruments, especially the piano, are the most flexible as you can play multiple notes at once.

Considerations

Selecting an instrument for yourself or a child means taking several considerations into account. Consider physical size, especially for a young child, who may be physically incapable of holding or playing larger instruments.

Expert Insight

Which type of instrument should you start with? Many professional teachers recommend starting with the piano to give the student a solid grasp of music theory concepts. Piano training will teach high and low pitches, dynamics, music notation and other important theory skills.
Alternatively, select an instrument that will allow future flexibility. For example, learning to play the flute will make it easier to learn the piccolo as well.