CLASSIFICATION OF WESTERN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

CONTENT

1. Introduction
2. The String Family
3. The Woodwind Family
4. The Brass Family
5. The Percussion Family

Introduction

Western musical instruments are classified into four families, namely the string family, woodwind family, brass family and the percussion family. These instruments are widely used in the Western world.

The String Family

This family produces sounds by the vibration of the strings. It forms the backbone of the orchestra. There are four different instruments in the string family; they are: violin, viola, cello and double bass.

String Instruments

The bow consists of a stick with many hairs stretched between its ends. Bowing the instrument’s strings causes the strings to vibrate.

The Woodwind Family

Woodwind instruments produce sounds when air is blown into the tubes through the mouthpiece. These instruments were formerly largely made of wood, ebonite and a few of them made of metal. Some of the instruments are: piccolo, flute, oboe, CorAnglais, clarinet, bassoon, double bassoon, saxophone and the recorder family.