14+ Musical Instruments That Start With E
Today, we will explore musical instruments that start with e.
Electric guitar, electric organ, electric piano, and electronic violin, are the most popular musical instruments starting with e. But there are many more that you may not know about including the ektara, erhu, euphonium, egg shaker, and ewe drums.
In this article, you will discover new and interesting instruments that start with an E. I’ve also included a brief description of each one.
Instruments That Start With E
1. Electric Guitar
The first musical instrument starting with e is one that you’re likely familiar with: the electric guitar. It is often used as a lead instrument in rock music, blues, and heavy metal. It has a selector switch called a pickup to produce different tones and amplify sound.
2. Electric Piano
The electric piano is an electronic keyboard that has settings for different types of sounds including the sound of a traditional piano, an organ, a harpsichord, and strings. Some electric pianos have less keys than standard pianos, but the layout is the same.
3. Electronic Organ
The electric organ is also an electronic keyboard instrument programmed with a variety of different sounds including the traditional pipe organ commonly used in church and gospel music. Nowadays, the distinct and warm sound of electric organs are used in a variety of music styles including jazz, rock and roll, and pop.
4. Ektara
The ektara is a one-stringed lute instrument used in traditional Indian music. Like many lute instruments, it has a long neck, a hollow body, and you pluck the strings with your fingers or a plectrum. The two-stringed version of this instrument is called dotara.
5. Erhu
Known as a Chinese violin (because it sounds similar to a violin) or a Chinese fiddle in Western parts of the world, the erhu is a bowed string instrument that starts with e. It is traditional to China and has two strings with a long, thin neck, and a small resonator covered in snake skin.
6. Euphonium
The euphonium is a valved brass instrument that looks a lot like a tuba but has a higher pitched sound. You hold the euphonium with your left hand, buzz your lips into the mouth piece, and press the valves with your right hand.
7. Eight String Guitar
As the name suggests, the eight string guitar is a type of guitar with eight strings instead of six. Eight string guitars have a wider neck than a standard guitar, are tuned differently, and can play a wider range of notes and chords.
8. Electric Mandolin
The electric mandolin is somewhat similar to an electric guitar. They are both stringed instruments that use pickups to amplify sound. They have a similar body shape and a fretted neck. And both are played by plucking or strumming the strings with your fingers.
9. Electric Harp
Like acoustic harps, the electric harp is a stringed instrument with a solid wooden frame. The strings are vertically attached to the frame and you pluck them with your thumb and fingers to produce sound. Difference is, the sound of an electric harp is amplified.
10. Electronic drums
Electronic drums are a modern alternative to acoustic drum kits. They look similar and are played using traditional drumming techniques. But instead of striking drum heads and cymbals, you strike electronic pads that use sound modules to produce sound.
11. Esraj
The esraj is a traditional string instrument from India that is played with a bow, similar to a violin. But the body of an esraj is rested on your knee or in front of your legs with the neck resting on your left shoulder while sitting on the floor.
12. Ewi
Short for electronic wind instruments, the Ewi is a type of synthesizer used to produce sounds of woodwind instruments like flutes and clarinets. Ewi’s are battery powered. To produce sound you blow into a mouthpiece and press pads with your fingers.
13. Ewe Drums
Ewe drums are a percussion instrument used in traditional West African music. Typically, three drums of different sizes are used in an ensemble. The drums are made of hollow wood and goat or antelope skin. You play the ewe with your hands, a stick, or both.
14. Electric Bass Guitar
The electric bass guitar, often to referred to as electric bass or just bass, is very similar to electric and acoustic guitars, but the neck and strings are longer, and some only have four strings. Bass guitar is easier to learn than guitar – both acoustic and electric.
15. Egg Shaker
Shaped like an egg and filled with small beads or seeds, the egg shaker is a hand percussion instrument that makes a soft and percussive sound when you shake it. Oftentimes it is used in children’s songs and for fun activities in primary schools.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a first instrument to learn or an experienced musician, I hope you found this list of musical instruments that start with e helpful.
