A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical
sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a
musical instrument
—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical
instrument. A person who plays a musical instrument is known as an
instrumentalist
The history of musical instruments dates to the
beginnings of human culture. Early musical instruments may have been used
for rituals, such as a horn to signal success on the hunt, or a drum in a
religious ceremony. Cultures eventually developed composition and
performance of melodies for entertainment. Musical instruments evolved in
step with changing applications and technologies. Learn more
TYPES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
In the study of Western music, the most common classification method divides instruments into the following groups:
String instruments often subdivided between plucked and bowed instruments
Wind instruments often subdivided between woodwinds and brass;