In the world of music, one of the instruments often associated with calm, soothing melodies is the violin. However, the violin family also includes fiddles, a variation of the violin which is played fast and loose, compared to the careful, structured pace of violins. But despite the difference in play style, violins and fiddles are … Read more
We’ve taken a look at a lot of different musical instruments that have a surprising number of variations, such as bagpipes, bells, flutes, and trombones. These have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years and can have vastly different designs. But what about a musical instrument that is so perfect for its role … Read more
One of the oldest and most easily recognizable instruments in the world, the flute can be found in almost every corner of the planet. The earliest recovered flutes were made of bone and date back more than 40,000 years. Today, simpler flutes still exist, but most have become quite complex and may be made of … Read more
Bagpipes – the mere utterance of this word can bring shivers of excitement to some and cause others to run for their earplugs. But love them or hate them, bagpipes are far more popular than most people realize and are among the oldest instruments still in use. For example, in Scotland, pipers are regarded as … Read more
When you think of a trombone, you generally picture marching bands or the brass section of a large orchestra. However, this instrument is far more versatile and actually includes several different types. Some of these types are rarer than others, and many are special adaptations to improve range or fit specific functions. Here are 13 … Read more
When you think of accordions, you probably either picture people in funny costumes playing polkas while others drink beer or Weird Al Yankovich. The latter made the accordion popular in the West with his zany parodies, which originally included polka-style mixes of popular tunes using an accordion. But one thing you might not know is … Read more
Invented in the late 1600s by Johann Denner, the clarinet is one of the most recognizable and beloved of all woodwinds. However, it might surprise you to find out that there are actually numerous types of clarinet, most of which look nearly identical. Unlike a lot of other instruments, clarinets are usually classified by the … Read more
You can tell a lot about a person by playing word association games, and the word “saxophone” may be particularly telling. Older generations will immediately name Lester Young, Charlie Parker, or John Coltrane. Those who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s will respond with “Careless Whisper”, “Never Tear US Apart”, or “Who Can it … Read more
Bells are one of the oldest musical instruments, dating back thousands of years. Unlike the harp, which has been associated with divinity in Christianity, the bell has often been associated with the devil due to its use in meditation and many pagan religions. Ironically, bells gain extensive usage in Christian churches despite this association. However, … Read more
One of the oldest surviving instruments, harps have become so revered that they’re a staple of religious imagery. In Christianity, cherubs and other stylized angels are often seen playing small harps, and harps are generally associated with heaven while bells are often linked to hell. But harps go well beyond religious use, and there are … Read more