27+ Musical Instruments That Start With A
If you’re looking for musical instruments that start with the letter a, read on.
Acoustic guitar, alto saxophone, accordion, and alto clarinet, are just some of the most popular musical instruments that start with A. Lesser-known musical instruments include the aeolian harp, array mbira, appalachian dulcimer, and more.
In this article, we will explore 24 musical instruments that start with an A. If you know of any that are not on the list, let us know in the comments box below.
Instruments Starting With A
1. Acoustic Guitar
First on the list is a string instrument you’re likely already familiar with: the acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar is most commonly known for having six strings, but there are also twelve string variations that produces sound with more depth.
2. Accordina
Invented in Paris by A. Borel, the accordina is a harmonica and an accordion in one. Like the accordion, it has a keyboard, but rather than expand and collapse the instrument with your hands to create air that produces sound, you blow into a mouthpiece instead.
3. Aeolian Harp
The aeolian harp is a stringed instrument with a unique twist – it is played by the wind, literally. It is a wooden box with strings attached to it. You place the instrument in a windy location, and when the wind blows across the strings, they vibrate and produce sound.
4. Alto Saxophone
As the name suggests, the alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family: a popular woodwind instrument invented in the 1840s. There are various types of saxophone in different keys, octaves, and sizes. The alto is in key Eb. It’s one octave lower than sopranino and one octave higher than baritone.
5. Alto Clarinet
The alto clarinet is a woodwind instrument from the clarinet family, which, just like the saxophone, come in different sizes and pitches. Compared to the most common type of clarinet, the soprano, the alto is much bigger, it has a curved neck and a metal bell at the end.
6. Array Mbira
Developed in 1960 by Bill Wesley, the Array Mbira is a modern redesign of the plucked idiophone Mbira – a traditional African folk instrument. It has a wooden base with metal tines organized into five octaves and a distinct sound that I could listen to all day long.
7. Appalachian Dulcimer
If you’re looking for an instrument that creates an old-timey feeling, you’ll love the Appalachian Dulcimer: a simple three or four-string instrument that’s popular amongst folk and blues musicians. Although it has limited range and tuning capabilities, it produces exquisite sounds with deep resonance and a mellow tone.
8. AlphaSphere
Mostly used by electronic musicians and producers, the alphasphere is an electronic musical instrument and MIDI controller. It has a spherical surface with twelve to forty eight touch pads depending on the module being used.
9. Atumpan
Produce sounds of West African music with the atumpan: a traditional Ghanaian drum made from wood and animal skin with a hollow inside and an open bottom. In Ghana, the atumpan is often referred to as a ‘talking drum’. Typically, there are two atumpan drums. One for high notes and one for low notes. You beat the talking drum with a hooked shaped stick.
10. Accordion
Popular in Europe and the United States, the accordion is a musical instrument with bellows and metal reeds. Its unique sound is featured in many different genres of music including folk, jazz, and classical. You play it by opening and closing the bellows and pressing buttons.
11. Agogo Bells
Originating in Africa, agogo bells are a percussion instrument that you strike with a stick. The name of this instrument leaves no confusion about what it is: two bells on a rod made from a variety of metals and one bell is bigger than the other to create different sounds.
12. Ajaeng
From folk music to soothing and relaxing sounds associated with meditation, ajaeng is a Korean string instrument used to accompany other instruments or play solos. It has seven silk strings that you play with a bow whilst seated on the floor.
13. Arghul
If you like Middle Eastern music check out the arghul: a double reed wind instrument used to play traditional Arab and Turkish songs. This instrument produces an amazing variety of sounds and has been around since ancient Egyptian times.
14. Autoharp
The autoharp is a string instrument created by Charles Zimmermann back in 1883. It’s made of wood and shaped like a rectangle with a missing corner. To play a melody you strum or pick the strings with one hand and you hold down a lever with the other hand to create cords.
15. Alto Recorder
This instrument doesn’t require much of an introduction since many of us are familiar with the recorder from our school years. Typically though, schools use the soprano recorder. Where the Alto recorder differs is the pitch, size, and the finger hole positioning.
16. Alphorn
Also known as Alpenhorn, the Alphorn instrument is a very tall (7 to 8 feet) and curved wooden horn that’s shaped like the letter J. It was originally used by Swiss mountain dwellers to communicate with its impressive sound that can be heard three miles away.
17. African Harp
With a soft yet powerful sound, pleasing tones, and elegant appearance, the african harp creates beautiful instrumental music to accompany singing and is often used for rhythm functions in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.
18. Asalto
Asalato is a simple instrument from West Africa. Traditionally, it is made from hollow gourd balls that are filled with beans and attached with a piece of thick string. Modern variations are made with plastic and sand. You place them in your hand and swing them from side to side.
19. Aulos
Aulos or tibia as it’s also known, is a handcrafted woodwind instrument that’s popular in Greek music, and just like some of the other instruments I have introduced you to today, it is a double reed instrument. It sounds a lot like bagpipes.
20. Adungu
The Adungu is a 7 to 10-string instrument that looks like the front end of a pirate ship and sounds a lot like a guitar. It is traditional in Northern Uganda. It’s made out of wood and animal hide. You pluck the strings to play melodies and cords.
21. Acoustic Bass Guitar
The acoustic bass guitar has less strings (between four and six) than a standard acoustic guitar. It has a larger body made of hollow wood and a longer fretted neck. And, as the name suggests, it is designed to produce lower-pitched notes.
FAQ About Instruments That Start With A
Looking for instruments that start with AZ and AR? See the lists below.
What musical instrument starts with AZ?
- aztec death whistle
- aztec flute
What Instruments Start With AR?
- arpeggione
- archlute
- archguitar
- archicembalo
- artisan bass
Conclusion
I hope this list of instruments starting with A helps you find a new instrument to explore. Let me know in the comments box if you know of any more.
