The Cwrth (pronounced as crooth) is an ancient stringed instrument that is usually associated with Welsh music and medieval folk music of England. This instrument is also called crowd or rote and is widely played in Europe. The name crwth was derived from a Proto-Celtic language word ‘krutto,’ which means a round … Read more
A xylophone is a percussion instrument that is able to play melodies. Unlike the glockenspiel, whose bars are made out of metal, the xylophone has wooden bars that are struck by mallets. Its keys are also tuned and arranged like the piano keys. Each of its bars is tuned to a pitch … Read more
The kubing is a jaw harp idiophone that is notably used by several Muslim and non-muslim tribes in the Philippines and Indonesia. This instrument is known as one of the oldest instruments in the world. The kubing is made out of a thin bamboo strip or metal strip that is about two … Read more
The cornet is the smallest brass instrument that is a close relative of the trumpet. It is an instrument derived from the post horn, a valveless cylindrical instrument that has a cupped mouth. By the 1830s, Parisians instrument makers have started using a piston valve. Subsequently, cornets appeared in the 19th century … Read more
The mbira is an idiophone instrument that is classified under lamellaphone, meaning a small metal plate. Aside from its name, the mbira is also known as finger harp, gourd piano, thumb piano, and zanzu. It is a musical instrument that is mostly used by the Shona people, an ethnic group that is … Read more
The langeleik is a stringed musical instrument that originated from Norway. Among the several mountains and valleys of Norway, the only areas where the langeleik instrument has a living tradition were the Vardal and Valdres. Most commonly, the langeleik was used for domestic rural music until the 19th century. Afterward, when the … Read more
The harp is one of the stringed instruments that have a couple of individual strings running vertically at an angle to its soundboard. The term harp comes from an Old English word hearpe, which is closer to the Old High German word harpha. Around the world, harps vary in several sizes. Some … Read more
The glockenspiel is a percussion instrument that is played through hitting or scrapping. It may look like a xylophone, but it is definitely called the glockenspiel. The name glockenspiel is a German word that means bell play, for it refers to the sound of a small bell. Initially, the early glockenspiel has … Read more