Traditional Instrument Resource by Geographic Location

Music has always been an integral part of human life, regardless of the geographic location or time. Universally people have used any available resources to create musical instruments. Most instruments fall into three main categories: percussion for rhythmic sounds, and wind and string instruments to provide melody. It is uncanny to note how they follow the same intrinsic principal functions across all cultures. This guide introduces some of the most popular instruments in each category around the world.

Africa

Percussion

Wind

String

Asia

Percussion

Wind

String

Australia

Percussion

Wind

String

 

Europe

Percussion

Wind

String

 

Middle East

Percussion

Wind

String

 

Russia

Percussion

Wind

String

 

North America

Percussion

Wind

String

 

South America

Percussion

Wind

String