Musical Instruments

There are many types of mallets that percussionists need for the variety of instruments they play in a band or an orchestra. Much of the time, each type of mallet is relegated to one specific...

The modification of the trombone in order to provide specific functionality has lead to different subtypes, one of which is the trigger trombone.

A recorder is an instrument in the flute and oboe family that was particularly popular from the medieval to the baroque times and has been revived in the 20th century. They come in all different...

The recorder, a woodwind musical instrument, is prevalent among elementary schools today, as plastic versions of the instrument can be produced with little cost. Perhaps your son or daughter is...

A straight slide trombone has a chromatic range of E below the bass clef to B-flat above middle C. The addition of a trigger valve increases the range and flexibility of the instrument.

Buying a used flute can be a great way to save money, as new flutes are often marked up anywhere between 30 and 40 percent and lose their value the moment they leave the store. To find a used...

The advent of virtual software instruments has changed the playing field in the world of music. When it comes to virtual keyboards, whether they're synthesizers, organs, or pianos, there is no...

If you are shopping for a keyboard or digital piano for your family, there are a lot of things you should know. If you or your children are learning piano or keyboard, consider your needs before...

If you are looking to sell your guitar or are just interested in learning more about it, you may want to figure out its fair market value. One option is to take your guitar to your local music...

The soundpost in a string instrument is a spruce dowel that sits inside the instrument and connects the top of the instrument with the bottom so that the sound will resonate throughout the entire...

One of the main challenges for hearing aid manufacturers is to create hearing aids that work well for both music and speech. Since it's more important for most people to hear speech than music,...

A talkbox is a kind of effects device used for guitars and keyboards. It is unique in that it takes the sound from the instrument and sends it through a small rubber tube, which the musician puts...

Making a wind instrument from items you probably have around your home is a fun project for kids and parents. Teachers also can guide students in making a homemade wind instrument in order to...

The alto saxophone is a reed instrument and member of the woodwind section. It is usually made of brass, and consists of the mouthpiece (which holds the reed), the neckpiece, and the body. Taking...

Every soul is laced together with musical melody. Few discover a way to release this "music within". Matching the music with the right instrument of expression is often an illusive...

Among the numerous methods for increasing lung capacity--from yoga to starting a swimming regimen -- taking up a musical instrument for daily practice can be one of the most effective and...

Learning the major and minor scales are often the first steps a musician takes to become familiar with their instrument. Although many musicians learn by ear and know little theory, it is highly...

One of the more difficult aspects of picking up a guitar for the first time, especially a bass guitar, is tuning the instrument. While the instrument is certainly playable without it being tuned,...

The benefits of playing and practicing music are well documented. Scientifically, it can stimulate brain function at any age. Psychologically, it gives you an opportunity to express yourself, and...

Learning a musical instrument at a young age is something many people wish they had done, as it is a great way to express ourselves and be creative. Often associated with famous musicians, the...

Making repairs or upgrades to an electric guitar or bass can be expensive if done by a knowledgeable professional; however, you can make many modifications yourself for a fraction of the cost....

The piano accordion is the perfect instrument for any adventurous musician looking to expand their repertoire. The instrument produces a distinctive, familiar sound that blends perfectly within a...

A trumpet mouthpiece, inserted into the lead pipe of the instrument while playing, is meant to be easily pulled out for instrument storage with a simple twist. However, playing with too much...

Learning to play songs on the ukulele can be a fun and rewarding experience. Unlike the guitar or piano, the ukulele's small size and four strings make it a relatively easy instrument to learn and...

Scales are the basic foundation of all western music. That's why band directors and music teachers insist that you learn them all. Most student musicians attempt to memorize each scale by rote...

Guitar and bass players usually try to prepare for unexpected problems that may occur during a rehearsal or a gig, like keeping extra string sets around or a backup instrument on hand. Strap locks...

The Epiphone Viola VS Bass is a type of four string electric bass guitar manufactured by Epiphone brand musical instruments. The brand is a subsidiary of the Gibson musical instrument company of...

Teach Yourself to Play Jazz When I first got into the Air Force Band, I could read music but not improvise. I had to learn to play jazz, because I was assigned to the big band as well as the...

A banjo is a four- or five-string instrument found in country, bluegrass and folk music. The banjo has its roots in the African culture but became popular in the early 1800s when a performer named...

A recorder is a small wooden or plastic woodwind musical instrument, which is related to the flute. The recorder is a basic instrument that is rather easy to understand. For this reason, the...

The bouzouki is a traditional Greek instrument adopted by the Irish in the 1950s and '60s that plays similarly to a mandolin. Understand the nuances of the bouzouki instrument with help from the...

Lawrence acoustic pickups are designed to be easily installed on an acoustic guitar without the need to modify the instrument. The pickup is mounted in the guitar's soundhole, and while there are...

The rich tradition of Mariachi, Banda, Nortena and Ranchera sounds are a rich treasure from the Mexican culture. Many common and not-so-common instruments are used by the bands and groups that...

The hurdy-gurdy is a very old instrument associated with European folk music. It reached the height of its popularity on the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, and is still widely used in Eastern...

A tremolo harmonica is mostly used for folk music and is played throughout the world. It is an instrument that has two reeds, giving each note its distinctive sound, or tremor. The reeds are...

Pianos are magnificent instruments that can bring one years of musical delight. However, choosing a piano can be a difficult process. With a variety of options to choose from, it is important to...

A harmonium, which is a popular instrument in music from India, looks like a keyboard, but sounds like an accordion. Sound is produced by air supplied by foot- or hand-operated bellows being blown...

If you are buying a violin for the first time, you probably have an army of questions: What should I look for? How do I know if the instrument is set up properly? How much should I pay for a...

The dulcimer is a fretted stringed instrument, originating in the Appalachian mountains during the early to mid-1800s. Considered the original American folk instrument, dulcimers have been adapted...

The erhu is an ancient Chinese stringed instrument that is still played today and is used for several different kinds of music, both Chinese and international. In China the erhu is considered part...

The roots of the tuba can be traced back to Medieval times when an instrument similar to the tuba was made from leather and wood. The modern tuba is the newest member of the brass family used in...

Keyboard is the term usually used to describe an electronic keyboard. An electronic keyboard is a keyboard instrument that comes in several sizes, usually with capability of electronic sound...

European settlers in the Appalachian Mountains are thought to have made the first dulcimers in the 1800s. Considered the only truly American folk instrument, the dulcimer was inspired by the...

The bassoon is a musical instrument commonly found in orchestras. It is the premier tenor and bass woodwind instrument used in Western music.

The tongue drum is one of the oldest instruments in human history. For thousands of years, the people of Africa, Asia and South America have used it in everyday life. Early tongue drums were made...

The mountain dulcimer is a guitar-like instrument that rests on your lap and is fretted and strummed. This instrument is quite different from the hammered dulcimer, which is played with mallets...

One of the most peculiar instruments in the classical woodwind family, the bassoon is fascinating not only for its sound and construction, but for its history and development.

For young and beginning musicians, a quality instrument is essential to a good learning experience. Buying a good quality student cello is different from buying a professional instrument, but...

The lowest of the low instruments, the tuba is a common fixture in orchestras and parades. Featured prominently in marching and oompah bands and in military movies, the tuba is the largest musical...

Making even minor adjustments to your instrument can be daunting to even experienced players. But by taking your time and moving carefully you can easily adjust your truss rod and set the neck...