musical instruments

This is a scientific instrument, based on the principles of beat frequency.In its early form, the volume was controlled by a foot pedal. But now it is changed by moving the hands near a metal loop. The theremin succeeded in attracting attention; in the 1930s RCA distributed it in the US. It was even used in several movie soundtracks and included in songs during the 1960s. One example is the song "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.

The musician or saxophonist, places the mouthpiece in his mouth, with the reed gently resting on his bottom lip and his teeth on top of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece must be sealed with his mouth before he blows. The tube of the saxophone is made of brass. The saxophone is a soft and suitable instrument for Jazz music or R&B style music.

The snare drum can be played using sticks, made of hickory or by using hands. The player usually plays 2 beats alternately on each hand. Grace notes are also used when playing the snare drum.

The most stylish of them all, guitars are played by strumming, plucking or striking the strings.Guitars generally are of three types: acoustic, bass and electric guitars. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to fit the needs of a musician. Guitars are widely used in modern music as singers usually play guitar as well.

Again a wind instrument, the harmonica has metal reeds placed in air channels. The reed vibrates when the musician blows air into or sucks air out of the channels. As the musician blows air into each channel, different notes are produced. For the notes not to be played, the lips and tongue covers the channels.

Much has changed in the Mandolin. In its early form, the mandolin was played by plucking the strings using a plectrum or a solid object. Now the mandolin is played similarly and somewhat like the guitar, by using a pick to strum or pluck the strings. The mandolin is mainly used in bluegrass music. Musicians pluck the strings in a rapid up and down motion known as tremolo.

The piano is played by pressing the keys with the fingers of both hands. The standard piano of today has 88 keys, the three foot pedals also have specific functions. The pedal on the right is called a damper, stepping on this causes all the keys to vibrate or sustain. Stepping on the pedal in the middle causes only the keys currently pressed to vibrate. Stepping on the pedal on the left creates a muted sound; a single note is produced from 2 or three piano strings that are tuned in unison.

A contemporary instrument based on the flow of air; the musician, or flutist, blows air into the edge of the instrument, and plays it by changing the pitch of the sound by opening/closing of the holes using his/her fingers.

Flutophones have a hole at the bottom; the thumb of the left hand is used to cover this hole when playing. The index, middle and ring finger of the left hand is used to cover the upper three holes but the little finger is not used. The right thumb lays on the thumb rest while the index, middle, ring and little finger of the right hand covers the lower four holes. Little force is used to play the flutophone, simply blow softly into the mouthpiece to make a sound. Notes are created when the finger holes are opened and closed.