🎵 categories.instruments-misc

Viola da Gamba · Bowed String Instrument — Prominent in Medieval and Renaissance music

The viola da gamba is a bowed string instrument popular from the Medieval to Baroque periods. Played between the knees like a modern cello, it typically has six or seven strings and frets. Its mellow tone made it a favorite for chamber music and solo performances.

Chinese Two-stringed Fiddle · Bowed string instrument — Iconic traditional Chinese instrument

The erhu is a traditional Chinese bowed string instrument with two strings. It is renowned for its expressive, melancholic tone and is a staple in solo, folk, and orchestral Chinese music. Its sound is produced by a bow rubbing against the strings across a snakeskin resonator.

Vielle · Ancient Bowed String Instrument — Iconic Medieval European Fiddle

The vielle is a medieval European bowed string instrument widely used before the Renaissance. It is considered the predecessor to the modern violin. Characterized by its five strings, it is capable of producing a range of tones.

Shamisen · Three-stringed Lute — Traditional Japanese String Instrument

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument. It features a wooden body covered with skin, a long slender neck, and three thick strings. Played with a plectrum called bachi, it plays a key role in various Japanese musical styles.

Rabel · Medieval Bowed String Instrument

The rabel is a medieval European bowed string instrument with a long neck and narrow body, usually fitted with two or three strings. It was widely used in both folk and court music. The instrument is played with a bow.

Bagpipe · Wind Instrument — Traditional reed instrument played with stored air

The bagpipe stores air in a bag, which is then pushed through several pipes fitted with reeds to produce sound. It is traditionally used across Europe, especially in Scotland, known for its powerful and majestic tone.

Crumhorn · Curved Reed — A distinctive double-reed wind instrument of the Renaissance

The Renaissance crumhorn is a woodwind instrument popular in 15th to 17th-century Europe. It features a curved wooden body and a capped double reed, producing a buzzing, nasal tone. Crumhorns were favored in court, dance, and ensemble music of the period.

Ulm Pipe · German Folk Reed — A distinctively structured German woodwind

The Ulm Pfeife is a woodwind instrument originating from the medieval Ulm region in Germany. Featuring a single reed and a short, thick wooden tube, it produces a bright and piercing tone. It was commonly used in folk music, ceremonies, and festivities.

Didyumuduru · Traditional Wind Instrument — Goryeo-era Woodwind

The Didyumuduru is a wooden wind instrument used during Korea’s Goryeo period. It was primarily played in royal courts and ceremonies, noted for its distinctive tone and structure. Today, its existence is known only through historical texts and records.

Surnai · Traditional Double-Reed Wind Instrument — Used in folk music across Central Asia and Korea

The surnai is a double-reed wind instrument known for its sharp and powerful sound. It is commonly played during weddings and festive ceremonies as an accompaniment. In Korea, it is especially used in nongak (farmer's music) and traditional folk events.

Nansoole · Bamboo Flute — Vertical wind instrument of the Joseon Dynasty

The Nansoole is a traditional bamboo wind instrument used in Joseon court music. Played vertically, it produces a gentle and pure timbre well-suited for ceremonial and court performances. Its delicate sound is valued in Korean classical ensembles.