File:Historical_instruments.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
musical instrument
Also known as music instrument, instrument, instrument in music, instrument (music)
device created or adapted to make musical sounds
AI overview
A musical instrument is a device that's either made or modified specifically to create musical sounds. These tools matter because they're fundamental to how people make and share music across cultures and throughout history.
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- P8168
- Chomu
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Article
Historical instrumentsA musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person who plays a musical instrument is known as an instrumentalist.
The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture. Early musical instruments may have been used for rituals, such as a horn to signal success on the hunt, or a drum in a religious ceremony. Cultures eventually developed composition and performance of melodies for entertainment. Musical instruments evolved in step with changing applications and technologies.