Music Appreciation and Fundamentals

In Western Concert Orchestras, it is common practice for instrumental sections to be depicted by "choir," featuring related instruments from high to low and (traditionally) across four families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

• The Philharmonia example, below, demonstrates this approach.

More broadly, instruments can be categorized by how the sound is produced (for instance if it is struck or if it is plucked). This system, sometimes referred to as the "Sachs-Hornbostel" system, is most commonly associated with the instrumental classifications of idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, and chordophones.

• The Music in World Cultures textbook example, below, has very clear examples.

• If you prefer detailed lists, the Association for Cultural Equity has an extensive listing of these classes, with numerous subclasses and examples. 

Physical Resources

Digital Resources