There are many different types of music instruments. The reed-pipe, or aulos, is the earliest known musical instrument. It is a shorter version of the Egyptian oboe, but sturdier. It is played by blowing air through the strings, which vibrate and produce sound. Some oboists make their own reeds, which they then tailor to suit their playing style. This instrument is made of wood, and produces a mellow sound unlike the treble clef. It is often the solo instrument in orchestral works.

The cello is the largest stringed instrument. It rests on a metal peg on the floor. Its reed vibrates against a detachable mouthpiece, and its tone is mellower than the violin. The double bass is the largest string instrument. The dulcimer is an early stringed instrument. It has strings stretched across a wooden sound box and is hit with a hammer.

Cosmoemusic.com is the most popular sources of information include encyclopedias, dictionaries, and studies. Encyclopaedias and dictionaries also offer useful information. Research about musical instruments can be done with the help of historical overviews, encyclopedias, and specialized guides. Some sources also give information about their construction, social use, and regional usage. Listed below are several great resources for learning about musical instruments. There is an online tutorial for learning the intricacies of playing a guitar.

Flutes are the earliest instruments. Flutes have a narrow bore, and are activated by blowing air across its aperture. Their higher-pitched cousins, the piccolo, and the alto flute, are both more expensive versions. Other early forebears include the unkeyed fife and the cimbalo. The most widely used close relative is the recorder family, which is largely unkeyed and end-blown.

Other types of instruments may be more complex. Some are idiophonic, and require a solid object to make sound. For example, a drum is a simple metal tube containing an electric key that controls solenoid valves. Similarly, the electric guitar is a chordophone. Chimes are more complicated and taller than xylophones. And while both types of musical instruments are interesting, not all are easy to study.

Lutes and violins were the first instruments to be invented. Lutes were developed in the Islamic world, where they were made out of wood. During the Middle Ages, the lute was the only instrument that could produce a sound. Its name came from the Arabic word al-buq, meaning "double clarinet." These instruments were created for religious and ritual purposes, but were later discarded as a novelty by Western cultures.