Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are essential tools to produce beautiful melodies. A myriad of instruments have been born in the long history. According to the different performing methods, musical instruments can be classified into three categories: string instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments.
String instruments are instruments which produce sound from strings’ vibration. During a performance, performers use their fingers or some tools like plectrums to pluck the strings to make sounds. There are many popular string instruments both in China and foreign countries. For example, in western countries, there are guitars, piano, harp and violin. Back in China, we have traditional instruments like Pipa, Guzheng, Yangqin and Erhu.
Wind instruments are instruments which create sound from the vibration of air in the tubes. Musicians use their lips and tongues to change the flow of air in the instruments in order to produce different keys. Based on materials, wind instrument can be divided into brass instrument and woodwind instrument. Brass like saxophone and trumpet is more popular in western countries while woodwind like Dizi and Xiao is more common in chinses history.
Percussion instruments are instruments which makes sound by being struck. Performers use their bare hand or something like sticks to strike the instruments to produce sound. In foreign countries, especially those in Africa, drums are really popular. And in our own history, we have things like chime bells and Luo.
Instruments are the foundation to produce beautiful music. The more we learn from their function, the better we use them.