Musical Instruments

Explore music for kids. Learn about instruments, musical styles, famous musicians, and fun music facts

Musical instruments make sounds that become music! From drums and pianos to guitars and flutes, each instrument has a special sound and way to play. In this section, discover the types of musical instruments and how they bring songs to life.

Mountain Dulcimer Facts for Students

Discover the mountain dulcimer—a traditional American string instrument with a s...

Bandura Facts for Students Ukraine’s National String In...

Explore the bandura, Ukraine’s beautiful string instrument with a rich, harp-lik...

Duduk Facts for Students | Learn About Armenia’s Ancien...

Discover the duduk for kids. Learn about this Armenian woodwind instrument and i...

Kalimba Facts for Students | Learn All About the Africa...

Discover the kalimba, a thumb piano from Africa that creates soothing music. Lea...

Didgeridoo Facts for Students Australia’s Oldest Wind I...

Explore the didgeridoo, an ancient Aboriginal Australian instrument. Learn how i...

Bagpipes Facts for Students | Learn How the Scottish Ba...

Discover how bagpipes work, what they’re made of, and their rich history in Scot...

Balalaika Facts for Students | Explore Russia’s Triangl...

Learn about the balalaika, a traditional Russian string instrument with a triang...

Gayageum Facts for Students | Explore Korea’s Tradition...

Discover the gayageum—a traditional Korean instrument with 12 strings and a peac...

Koto Facts for Students the Traditional Japanese Harp

Learn all about the koto a traditional string instrument of Japan with 13 string...

Charango Facts for Students

Learn all about the charango—a traditional string instrument from South America....

Shamisen Facts for Students Japan's Traditional Three-S...

Learn about the shamisen, Japan’s traditional three-stringed instrument. Discove...

Oud Facts for Students | Discover the Ancient String In...

Explore the oud—an ancient, fretless string instrument from the Middle East with...

Erhu Facts for Students | Discover the Chinese Two-Stri...

Explore the erhu—a traditional Chinese string instrument with two strings and de...

Kora Facts for Students | Learn About the African Harp

Discover the kora—an African string instrument played like a harp and rich with ...

Sitar Facts for Students | Explore the Sounds, History

Learn all about the sitar—a classical Indian string instrument with a unique, sh...

Lyre Facts for Students - Learn About This Ancient Stri...

Explore the lyre an ancient string instrument from Greece and beyond. Learn abou...

Mandolin Facts for Students | Discover the Sound and Hi...

Learn about the mandolin—a small, bright-sounding string instrument used in folk...

Banjo Facts for Students | Learn About the Banjo and It...

Explore the banjo—a twangy, upbeat string instrument used in folk and bluegrass ...

Ukulele Facts for Students | Learn How to Play the Ukul...

Discover the ukulele—a small and fun string instrument. Learn how it works, its ...

Guitar Facts for Students | Learn How the Guitar Works ...

Discover the guitar—a popular and versatile string instrument. Learn about its p...

Harp Facts for Students | Discover the Magical World of...

Learn about the harp—a beautiful plucked string instrument with ancient roots. D...

Double Bass Facts for Kids – Learn About the Largest St...

Discover the double bass for kids. Learn how this giant string instrument works,...

Cello Facts for Kids – History, Technique & Sound

Learn about the cello for kids. Discover its history, how it’s played, rich deep...

Trumpet Facts for Students | Learn How the Trumpet Work...

Learn all about the trumpet, including how it works, its history, famous players...

Viola Facts for Students | Learn About the Viola and It...

Discover the viola—an important string instrument with a rich, mellow sound. Lea...

Violin Facts for Students | Learn How the Violin Works ...

Explore the violin—its parts, how it works, history, and famous players. Perfect...

Harmonica Facts for Kids – Learn About This Fun and Por...

Discover harmonica facts for kids. Learn how the harmonica works, how it makes m...

Melodica Facts for Students | Learn About the Melodica ...

Discover the melodica—a fun wind-and-keyboard instrument used in classrooms and ...

Synthesizer Facts for Students | Learn What Synthesizer...

Explore the synthesizer—a modern keyboard instrument that creates electronic sou...

Accordion Facts for Students | Learn About the Accordio...

Discover the accordion—a unique instrument played with keys, buttons, and bellow...

Clavichord Facts for Kids – Learn About This Historic K...

Discover clavichord facts for kids. Learn how this early keyboard instrument wor...

Harpsichord Facts for Students | Learn How the Harpsich...

Explore the harpsichord—a plucked-string keyboard instrument that came before th...

Organ Facts for Students | Learn How the Organ Works an...

Explore the organ—a powerful keyboard instrument with pipes, pedals, and a long ...

Piano Facts for Students | Learn How the Piano Works an...

Learn all about the piano—its parts, how it works, its rich history, and famous ...

Cowbell Instrument Facts for Students | Learn About the...

Learn what the cowbell is, how it's played, its musical history, and how it adds...

Castanets Facts for Students Learn What Castanets Are a...

Explore the castanets—how they work, their parts, rhythms, and history in Spanis...

Djembe Drum Facts for Students | Learn How the Djembe W...

Discover the djembe: its parts, how it's played, its deep history in West Africa...

Timbales Facts for Kids – Learn What Timbales Are and H...

Discover timbales facts for kids. Learn about these exciting percussion instrume...

Conga Drum Facts for Students | Learn How Congas Work &...

Discover the conga drums: what they are, how they work, their parts, history, an...

Bongo Drum Facts for Students | Learn How Bongos Work &...

Learn what bongo drums are, how they work, their parts and history, plus fun fac...

Triangle Instrument Facts for Students | Learn How the ...

Discover what the triangle instrument is, how it works, its parts and history, a...

tambourine Facts for Kids – Fun Sounds and Rhythm from ...

Learn tambourine facts for kids. Discover how this handheld percussion instrumen...

Steel Drums Facts for Kids – Discover the Sound of the ...

Learn fun facts about steel drums for kids. Explore how these unique instruments...

Timpani Facts for Students | Learn How the Timpani Work...

Learn what timpani are, how they work, their parts and history, and explore famo...

Vibraphone Facts for Students | Learn How the Vibraphon...

Explore the vibraphone’s parts, sound, and history in this educational article f...