Musical instruments in English, with pictures

/ɡɪˈtɑːr/

A stringed instrument that you hold and strum.

“He plays acoustic songs on his wooden guitar every evening.”

/piˈænoʊ/

A large keyboard instrument that makes notes when you press the keys.

“She practices classical music on the grand piano every day.”

/ˌvaɪəˈlɪn/

A small wooden instrument with strings, played under the chin.

“The orchestra has many musicians who play the violin beautifully.”

/drʌm/

A round instrument that you hit with sticks or your hands.

“He kept the fast beat by hitting the snare drum.”

/fluːt/

A long, thin metal pipe held sideways and blown across.

“She played a sweet, high melody on her silver flute.”

/ˈtrʌmpɪt/

A bright brass pipe with three buttons to change pitch.

“The jazz musician blew a loud note on his brass trumpet.”

/ˈsæksəfoʊn/

A curved metal instrument with keys, often played in jazz.

“He played a smooth solo on the tenor saxophone tonight.”

/ˌklærɪˈnet/

A dark, straight wooden pipe with a single reed mouthpiece.

“She joined the concert band to play the black clarinet.”

/ˈtʃɛloʊ/

A large four-stringed instrument that you play sitting down, resting it on the floor.

“The deep sound of the cello filled the quiet room.”

/hɑːrp/

A tall frame holding many vertical strings plucked by fingers.

“An ancient golden harp stood in the corner of the hall.”

/əˈkɔːrdiən/

A portable box squeezed to push air across metal reeds.

“The street musician squeezed his accordion to play folk songs.”

/hɑːrˈmɒnɪkə/

A tiny instrument you play by blowing and sucking air through small holes.

“He kept a small harmonica in his jacket pocket.”

/ˌjuːkəˈleɪli/

A small four-stringed instrument from Hawaii with a bright sound.

“We sang cheerful beach songs around the campfire with a ukulele.”

/ˈbændʒoʊ/

A stringed instrument with a round body, common in American folk music.

“He learned fast country tunes on his five-string banjo.”

/ˌtæmbəˈriːn/

A round wooden hoop with jingles you shake or hit.

“The singer shook a tambourine to match the lively beat.”

/ˈzaɪləˌfoʊn/

A row of wooden bars hit with small mallets.

“Children love striking the wooden bars of a xylophone.”

/ˈsɪm.bəlz/

Round metal plates struck together to make a crashing noise.

“The percussionist clashed two brass cymbals together with force.”

/ˈtraɪæŋɡl/

A three-sided bent steel rod struck with a metal beater.

“Wait for the cue before you hit the small triangle.”

/ˈtjuːbə/

A huge brass instrument that makes very low, deep sounds.

“Carrying that heavy tuba across the field was quite difficult.”

/trɑːmˈboʊn/

A long brass tube with a slide to shift notes.

“He extended the long slide of his brass trombone smoothly.”

/rɪˈkɔːrdər/

A simple pipe with finger holes often taught in schools.

“Many young students learn simple melodies on a plastic recorder.”

/məˈrɑː.kəz/

Shakers filled with seeds or beads held by short handles.

“Shake these colorful maracas along with the Latin dance rhythm.”

/ɡɒŋ/

A large suspended metal disk struck with a soft mallet.

“A deep crash echoed when he struck the bronze gong.”

/ˈɔːr.ɡən/

A massive keyboard system that pumps air through huge pipes.

“The old stone church has an impressive antique pipe organ.”

/ˈoʊboʊ/

A slender wood pipe with a double reed that sounds clear.

“The orchestra tuned their pitch to the lead oboe note.”

/bəˈsuːn/

A long, folded wooden pipe producing very deep tones.

“He plays the low bass parts on a wooden bassoon.”

/ˌmændəˈlɪn/

A small pear-shaped instrument with pairs of metal strings.

“She picked a fast traditional tune on her mandolin.”

/luːt/

An old pear-shaped instrument with plucked strings.

“The Renaissance player entertained royalty with his plucked lute.”

/ˈsɪtɑːr/

A traditional Indian instrument with a long neck and many strings.

“Master musicians play complex classical ragas on the sitar.”

/ˈbæɡˌpaɪps/

A wind instrument with an air bag and several pipes, linked with Scotland.

“A Scottish parade marched past to the sound of loud bagpipes.”