19+ Musical Instruments That Start With D
In today’s article, we will explore musical instruments that start with d.
Drums, double bass, didgeridoo, and dulcimer are just some of the most popular musical instruments that start with d. But there are many more that are not so well-known including the djembe, dhol, and duxianqin, just to name a few.
Read on to discover 19+ musical instruments that start with the letter D. And if you know of any that are not on the list, share them with other readers in the comments box below.
Instruments That Start with D
1. Drum
First on the list is a popular percussion instrument: the drum. While there are many different types of drums, there’s one thing they all have in common. They produce sound through vibration when you strike the drum head with your hands or a percussion mallet.
2. Drum Machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument pre-programmed with drum sounds, rhythms, and beats. Like drum kits, a drum machine is used to accompany other instruments in many music genres including pop, rock, and dance.
3. Dulcimer
The dulcimer is one of the easiest string instruments to play. Most have three strings, but some have four. You rest the dulcimer on your knee while seated and pluck its strings with your right hand while holding down strings on a fretted neck with your left hand.
4. Djembe
The djembe is another drum that starts with D. To play it, you sit on the edge of a chair, tilt the drum, and place it between your legs. Striking the drum with your hands in different positions allows you to play three different notes called bass, tone, and slap tone.
5. Dhol
The dhol is a type of double-headed drum traditional to Southern Asia. Is it made with a wooden barrel and animal skin. Striking one end with a wooden stick produces a bass sound and the other end is used to play higher notes.
6. Darbuka
The darbuka is a goblet-shaped drum used in belly dancing and other types of traditional Egyptian music. Similar to the djembe drum, the darbuka has three main sounds but they are named doom, tak, and pa.
7. Dizi
Dizi is a Chinese flute mostly made of bamboo wood. In many ways, it is similar to other simple flutes, but this one has an additional hole covered with a thin layer of reed to produce a brighter and louder sound.
8. Dombra
The dombra, also known as dambura, is a plucked string instrument with a long neck and oblong-shaped body traditionally used in Central Asia folk music to accompany singing, storytelling, and other forms of cultural expression.
9. Daf
The daf is a tambourine-like Middle Eastern frame drum traditionally made of wood, animal skin, and little metal rings or thin metal plates. Similar to the tambourine, you hold this musical instrument in one hand and strike it with the other to create sound.
10. Double Bass
Also known as upright bass or just bass amongst many other names, the double bass is the largest string instrument used in modern orchestra, and the lowest pitched. It has four, sometimes five strings that you pluck or play with a bow.
11. Dholak
Dholak is a traditional instrument used in India and surrounding regions. It is a drum with two heads, one of which is smaller than the other and covered in goat skin to create a shaper sound. The bigger head is covered with buffalo skin to play bass.
12. Diatonic Accordion
As the name suggests, the diatonic accordion is a member of the accordion family. It is smaller and easier to play than a standard accordion, making it a good choice for beginners. But on the downside, the keyboard is limited to one or two major scales.
13. Dan Moi
Next on the list of instruments that start with d is a simple mouth harp from Vietnam with a bright buzzing sound: the dan moi – a piece of brass with a triangular end that vibrates when plucked. You place it against your lips and pluck the end inward or outwards.
14. Dulzaina
The dulzaina is a Spanish doubled-reeded wind instrument belonging to the oboe family. Similar to the dizi and daegeum flute it has a wooden body and finger holes, but the mouthpiece is made of brass or metal. Its lively sound is perfect for upbeat music.
15. Daegeum
The Daegeum is a musical instrument used in traditional Korean music. Just like the Chinese dizi, it is a transverse flute made of bamboo wood with a range of two octaves. It has a distinct, unique, and full sound that blends well with other instruments.
16. Dulcian
Now replaced by the modern bassoon, the dulcian is a double-reeded woodwind instrument that was very popular in the 16th to 17th centuries. It is a versatile instrument with a deep and rich sound played by blowing air into the mouthpiece.
17. Dahu
Once used in Chinese orchestras, the dahu is a bowed string instrument developed in 1930. I say once because it is so difficult to play, it has not been used since the late 20th century. It has two strings and a large sound box covered with snake skin at one end.
18. Dabakan
The dabakan is an hourglass shaped drum from the Philippines. Generally, it is played while standing, but some people prefer to be seated or to kneel on the floor instead. You strike this drum with sticks made of bamboo or rattan.
19. Dutar
Dating back to the 15th century, the dutar is a two stringed lute from Central Asia. It is made from wood, has a pear shaped body, a long neck, and is played by plucking the strings with your fingers or with a plectrum.
20. Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is a wind musical instrument originating in northern Australia. It is somewhat similar to a trumpet but made of wood. The key and pitch of a didgeridoo is determined by its length. Shorter didgeridoos produce a higher pitch than longer ones.
FAQ About Instruments That Start With D
Looking for string instruments and drums that start with the letter d? See the lists below for more musical instruments to explore.
What String Instruments Start With D?
Some string instruments that start with d include the:
- dulcimer
- double bass
- dombra
- dahu
- danish nyckelharpa
- duxianqin
- double violin
- diddley bow
- dulcijo
What is a Drum That Starts With D?
There are many drums that start with D. Below I’ve listed some of the most popular ones.
- dhol
- djembe
- darbuka
- daf
- dabakan
- doumbek
- dholak
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed exploring musical instruments that start with d in this article. Do let me know in the comments box below if you know of any others.
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