Musical instruments are devices made to produce musical sounds or are inspired by natural phenomena. In essence, any object that can produce sound can be regarded as a musical instrument.
Note: This article is part of our archival content and belongs to a previous phase of our publication. Amaranth Magazine is now a dedicated literary magazine.
The word “music” is derived from the Greek word “Mousika,” which comes from “Muse,” the ancient Greek goddess of poetry and music.
It means that music compensates for the incapability of human beings to express their inner emotions and feelings emanating from inside the human spirit.
Music is the art that, with the inner emotions of humans and their mental creativity, carves out a beautiful resonating piece that touches body and soul. Music comforts the soul as well as improves human physical ailments. However, it is the soul that understands the emotions hidden in musical notes, comprehending the sadness or joy of the performer and composer.
Even the great European composer, Beethoven referred to music as “a manifestation which is beyond all sciences and philosophy”.
The history of musical instruments dates to the very dawn of human culture. Even when humans were only at the nascent stage and had no notion of music performance, they nonetheless used sound-making devices for purposes of signaling or in certain rites. As human culture developed further, every nation started to form its own set of compositions for different amusements, such as parties and feasts.
In the old days, everything in nature was used to make a musical instrument: animal skins, plant stems, and everything available. At least each culture used at least these materials to make their special musical instruments.
Based on archaeological research, the oldest known musical instrument is a small flute made of bone from several thousand years ago.
Musical Instruments
As human science and technology developed, musical instruments began to be manufactured in various compositions and shapes. Musicians used these instruments solo. The use of musical instruments gradually spread over many populated regions of the world.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, many musical instruments were designed for multiple purposes. Composers began to create musical pieces which are intended for specific instruments and features were added to them. For example, during concerts and events that are held in big halls, the sound volume of a few instruments was increased in order to provide the music more effectively to the audience who is present inside the hall.
The polyphonic style gained popularity very rapidly in music compositions. Instrument makers saw to the requirements of composers, and, besides producing soothing sounds, the instruments became a focus because of their marvelous appearance.
In the early 20th century, the manufacturing of traditional instruments slowed down. With the advancement of electrical science and technology, an industry of electronic and electromechanical instruments was born. These instruments worked entirely differently from previous types and produced sound through computers and electronic chips. They have mechanical parts that create the sound vibrations, and these vibrations are collected and amplified by electrical components.
Classification of Musical Instruments
The scientific study of musical instruments is known as organology or instrumentology. Musical instruments can be classified into several types based on their material, shape, and method of playing. A key classification in music theory divides them into four main categories:
1- Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments produce sound when struck, rubbed, or shaken. Archaeologists believe these are the oldest known instruments after the human voice. They are divided into two types:
- Tuned Percussion: These produce specific pitches, such as xylophones and marimbas.
- Untuned Percussion: These produce indefinite pitches, such as drums and tambourines.
2- Wind Instruments
Wind instruments are played by blowing into them, causing the air inside to vibrate. They are categorized as either woodwind or brass instruments.
- Woodwind Instruments: These can be further divided into reed and non-reed instruments. Examples include flutes, saxophones, bassoons, oboes, and clarinets.
- Brass Instruments: Originally made from brass, these instruments produce sound when air is blown into their mouthpieces. Examples include trumpets, trombones, and tubas.
3- String Instruments
String instruments produce sound through the vibration of strings, which may be set into motion by plucking, striking, or bowing. Based on the playing method, they are divided into three groups:
- Plucked: Strings are plucked using fingers or a plectrum. Examples include guitars, lutes, and harps.
- Bowed: Strings are played by drawing a bow across them. Examples include violins and cellos.
- Struck: Strings are struck with a hammer. Examples include the harpsichord, dulcimer, and vibraphone.
4- Electronic Instruments
Electronic instruments generate the sound electronically using electronic components and interfaces. One of the most famous electronic instruments is the organ or keyboard. It consists of several integrated circuits, keys, and speakers that produce the sound. Other examples of electronic instruments include electronic guitars, bass guitars, and electronic violins.
Conclusion
The history and development of musical instruments reflect their deep interdependence with human culture, creativity, and technology. From their early origins in nature—using animal skins and plant stems—to the sophisticated electronic instruments of the 20th century, musical instruments have been crafted to meet the needs and inspirations of musicians and composers. Over time, instruments evolved from simple signaling devices to indispensable tools of expression in music, thanks to advancements in sound amplification and electronic production.
Organology continues to refine the classification and subdivision of instruments based on their material, shape, and method of playing. Ultimately, instruments are not merely sound-emitting mechanisms but extensions of human emotion and expression—reflections of the soul’s ability to communicate everything from joy to sorrow and the full spectrum of human feelings.
