Instruments can be categorized based on how sound is produced:
Aerophone: Sound produced by a vibrating column of air.
Idiophone: Simple solid instruments producing sound by being struck, scraped, or shaken.
Membranophone: Sound produced by striking or rubbing a skin or membrane stretched across a resonating air chamber.
Chordophone: Sound produced by striking, rubbing, or plucking a tight string.
Electrophones: Instruments that produce sound with the aid of electricity.
Instruments can also be categorized as:
Brass
Woodwind
String
Electronic
Keyboard
Percussion
Single Reed:
Clarinets
Saxophones
Double Reed:
Oboes (including English horns)
Bassoons
No Reed:
Piccolos
Flutes
Trumpets
French horns
Trombones
Baritones
Euphoniums
Tubas
Definite pitch: Producing specific notes when struck.
Timpani
Xylophones
Vibraphones
Orchestra bells
Indefinite pitch: No specific note produced.
Bass drum
Snare drum
Woodblocks
Maracas
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double bass
Acoustic guitar
Mandolin
Electric guitars
Synthesizers
Computers (MIDI)
Piano
Organ
Harpsichord
Flute/Piccolo: Aerophone, Woodwind
Clarinet: Aerophone, Woodwind
Saxophones: Aerophone, Woodwind
Bassoon: Aerophone, Woodwind
Trumpet: Aerophone, Brass
Trombone: Aerophone, Brass
Drums: Indefinite pitch, Percussion
Xylophone: Definite pitch, Percussion
Guitar: Chordophone, String
Violin: Chordophone, String
Cello: Chordophone, String
Keyboard instruments: Electronic or acoustic family, Piano, Organ
Typical symphony orchestra includes:
Percussion (Blue): Timpani, Snare drum
Brass (Yellow): Trumpets, Trombones, French horns
Woodwind (Green): Clarinets, Oboes, Flutes
Strings (Red): 1st violins, 2nd violins, Violas, Cellos, Double basses, Harp
Conductor: Directs the performance.
Orchestration: The art of arranging music for an orchestra.
Ensemble: A group of instruments playing together.
Chamber Orchestra: A small orchestra.
Conductor: The person directing the orchestra.
Instrumentation: The collection of instruments performing a piece.
Polyphony: Multiple voices played together, providing a harmonious musical texture.
Percussion with stretched skin (Drum type)
High pitched woodwind (Flute or Piccolo)
Brass instrument without valves (Trombone)
Low pitched double reed woodwind (Bassoon)
Woodwind without reed, usually made of metal (Flute)
Mid-range double reed woodwind (Oboe)
Common name for harmonica (Mouth organ)
Brass instrument with valves and circular coils (Trumpet)
Large deep percussion with stretched skin (Bass Drum)
Largest in the string family (Double Bass)
Single reed instrument made of brass (Saxophone)
Keyboard instrument (Piano)
Double reed woodwind instrument (Oboe)
Brass instrument with valves (French Horn)
Stringed instrument (Guitar)
Stringed instrument which rests on a floor while being played (Harp)
Highest pitched in the string family (Violin)
Percussion instrument clashed together in pairs (Cymbals)
Instrument with many strings which is not played with a bow (Harp)