Ways to use this list
- Music class: spin an instrument, play a short recording of it and ask which family it belongs to and how it makes its sound.
- Choosing a first instrument: spin within the families you like, then try the winner at a school music day or an open rehearsal.
- Orchestra charades: a pupil mimes playing the instrument the wheel picks and the class guesses. Trombone slides and timpani rolls are always popular.
- Composition task: spin three instruments and write a short piece for that unusual trio, such as flute, tuba and marimba.
- Drawing practice: instruments are full of tricky curves and strings, so spin one and draw it from a photo in ten minutes.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (60 entries)
- Violin – strings
- Viola – strings
- Cello – strings
- Double bass – strings
- Harp – strings
- Acoustic guitar – strings
- Electric guitar – strings
- Bass guitar – strings
- Ukulele – strings
- Banjo – strings
- Mandolin – strings
- Sitar – strings
- Erhu – strings
- Koto – strings
- Oud – strings
- Balalaika – strings
- Flute – woodwind
- Piccolo – woodwind
- Clarinet – woodwind
- Oboe – woodwind
- Bassoon – woodwind
- Saxophone – woodwind
- Recorder – woodwind
- Bagpipes – woodwind
- Pan flute – woodwind
- Bansuri – woodwind
- Shakuhachi – woodwind
- Trumpet – brass
- Cornet – brass
- Flugelhorn – brass
- French horn – brass
- Trombone – brass
- Euphonium – brass
- Tuba – brass
- Sousaphone – brass
- Bugle – brass
- Drum kit – percussion
- Snare drum – percussion
- Bass drum – percussion
- Timpani – percussion
- Xylophone – percussion
- Glockenspiel – percussion
- Marimba – percussion
- Cymbals – percussion
- Triangle – percussion
- Tambourine – percussion
- Maracas – percussion
- Bongos – percussion
- Congas – percussion
- Djembe – percussion
- Tabla – percussion
- Steel pan – percussion
- Cajón – percussion
- Castanets – percussion
- Piano – keyboard
- Organ – keyboard
- Harpsichord – keyboard
- Accordion – keyboard
- Synthesizer – keyboard
- Celesta – keyboard
Questions people ask
What are the four families of instruments?
In the orchestra they are strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Keyboards such as the piano, organ and harpsichord are often taught as a fifth group, which is how this list sorts them.
Why is the saxophone a woodwind instrument when it is made of brass?
Families go by how the sound is made, not the material. A saxophone makes its sound with a reed, like a clarinet, so it is woodwind. The metal flute is woodwind too, because you blow across an edge instead of buzzing your lips.
Is the piano a string or a percussion instrument?
A bit of both. Pressing a key makes a felt hammer strike strings, so it is sometimes called a struck string instrument. Most music teachers simply group it with the keyboards.
Which instrument is easiest to start with?
Recorder, ukulele, keyboard and hand drums are popular first instruments, because you can play a simple tune or rhythm within a few lessons. The best choice is the one whose sound you love, as that keeps you practising.