Types of wind instruments

A wind instrument is a musical instrument that contains some type of resonator (usually a tube), in which a column of air is set into vibration by the player blowing into (or over) a mouthpiece set at the end of the resonator. The pitch of the vibration is determined by the length of the tube and by manual modifications of the effective length of the vibrating column of air. In the case of some wind instruments, sound is produced by blowing through a reed; others require buzzing into a metal mouthpiece.

Types of wind instruments
* Brass instruments
* Woodwind instruments

Although brass instruments were originally made of brass and woodwind instruments have traditionally been made of wood, the material used to make the body of the instrument is not always a reliable guide to its family type. A more accurate way to determine whether an instrument is brass or woodwind is to examine how the player produces sound. In brass instruments, the player's lips vibrate, causing the air within the instrument to vibrate. In woodwind instruments the player either:

* causes a reed to vibrate, which agitates the column of air (as in a clarinet, oboe or duduk)
* blows against an edge or fipple (as in a recorder), or
* blows across the edge of an open hole (as in a flute).

For example, the saxophone is typically made of brass, but is classified as a woodwind instrument due to the method of vibrating the air column (by using a reed).

On the other hand, the wooden cornett (not to be confused with the cornet, which is made of brass) and the serpent are both made of wood (or plastic tubing, in the case of modern serpents), but belong to the family of brass instruments because the vibrating is done by the player's lips.

In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, wind instruments are classed as aerophones.

Western musical instruments

India has a deep and old musical history. Indian musical instruments today fall into three basic genres. There are instruments for classical Indian music, Western music instruments and folk music instruments from different parts of India. Indian music industry today is no longer limited to the two main forms of classical music but in fact has widened to include within its purview genres like popular music, folk music, rock music, rhythm and blues and hip hop music. Music has always had a deep impact in India and has been used in religious worship, for cultural representation as well as for entertainment. Since India is made up of many cultural and ethnic groups, each of which uses its own language and style for music, Indian music adopts many distinct styles.

Bhangra, ghazal, qawwali, thumri, bhajan, gurbani etc are a few musical styles that are part of India's musical heritage. In addition, with the fusion of cultures, Indian musicians have come to combine Western and Middle Eastern influences in their music as well. Consequently a range of Indian instruments today would include modern versions of the sitar, tabla and other basic Indian instruments. Modern Indian musical instruments are basically divided into the categories of stringed instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments.

The guitar, which is believed to be a version of the Indian sitar, is one such instrument. It is not uncommon for modern Indian musicians to even employ the use of electric guitars in their compositions. The flute and tables are still integral parts of Indian music and fit well into the genre of popular music.

Classical Musical Instruments

Indian music has its roots in ancient Indian history. The use of musical instruments to accompany prayer songs has been pointed out in the Vedas which are revered, ancient religious works of the Hindus. Hence, Indian people are no newcomers to the field of music. In fact, ancient Indian musical instruments like the sitar are believed to have been the origin of the modern-day, western guitar which is the basis of many western genres of music today. Some of the popular Indian instruments included the following:

* The Vina
This is a string instrument that was popularly used in the Carnatic form of music which developed in the medieval era. This kind of music originated in the south of India.

* The Mrudangam
This is a two-sided drum or percussion musical instrument. Generally, the hollow body of the instrument is made from wood and has openings which are responsible for creating different kinds of sounds. This instrument, along with the ghatam, forms the very basis of classic Carnatic music.

* The Sitar
The Sitar, a stringed classical music instrument that has been around in India since ancient times is still popular with fans of classical Indian music. The instrument, which many believe to be the ancestor of the modern-day guitar, is usually carved from teak wood. In ancient times the main resonator of the instrument was carved out of a pumpkin. Today there are many different types of sitars available in India with some that especially built to play faster melodies.

History of Musical Instruments

The musical industry in Uttar Pradesh is about 250 years old. It was highly influenced in the Nawab’s era [1760-1857], when music was the favourite pass time of royal people. Since then provincial courts of Lucknow and Rampur have been leading centres of production of musical instruments.At Lucknow the growth of this industry accelerated, after the establishment of Bhatkand College of Indian Music.

The musical industry in Uttar Pradesh is about 250 years old. It was highly influenced in the Nawabs era [1760-1857], when music was the favourite pass time of royal people. Since then provincial courts of Lucknow and Rampur have been leading centres of production of musical instruments.At Lucknow the growth of this industry accelerated, after the establishment of Bhatkand College of Indian Music.

Music is obviously the first creative expression of man. From the Mohanjodaro and Harappaexcavations dating back to 3000 B.C. we get an insight into the pre-vedic period culture in which one finds, amongst the relics, a fair representation of the important instruments then in use. To show the high elevation to which musical instrument were raised, there are sculptural proofs and ancient literary references that depict Gods and Goddesses each playing an instruments.

Indian musical instruments are remarkable for their and variety of forms. From the Mohanjodaro and Harappa excavations dating to 3000 B.C. we get an insight into the pre-vedic period culture in which one finds, amongst the relics, a fair representation of the important instruments then in use.
Fine Art
The musical instruments are closely associated with learning and practising of classical Indian music. There is a wide range of percussion, shifting and wind instruments. Now-a- days it is fashionable to keep these instruments as the showpieces to reflect the rich heritage of classical musical traditions.

The musical instruments are closely associated with learning and practising of classical Indian music. There is a wide range of percussion, shifting and wind instruments. Now-a-days it is fashionable to beep these instruments as the showpieces to reflect the rich heritage of classical musical traditions.

Musical Instruments

India has a rich musical history with records of ancient musical instruments found in revered Hindu religious scriptures. Indian music is believed to have been developed as a result of the interaction between Indian people and people belonging to many diverse cultures.

There are many types of musical instruments which Indians have used since ancient times.Many musical instruments were developed to accompany religious singing. Depictions of Mira, a devotee of Lord Krishna in many antique art works and other such depictions show the significance of musical instruments in worship.

The most well-known Indian musical instruments then and now are the sitar and the tabla though today the Indian musical instruments market may include many different instruments. Developed marketing techniques in India today mean that the consumer can now avail of wholesale musical instruments or buy discount musical instruments through various sources.

Some of the Musical instruments in India available would include:

* The flute
This cylindrical tube-shaped instrument may come in many sizes and is played by blowing air into one end of the tube.

* The sitar
This is believed to be the ancestor of the modern, western guitar. It has a long neck
and may have six or seven main cords.

* The sarod
This has a small wooden body and a steel-encased fingerboard.

* The sarangi
This instrument is played using a bow against strings, much like a modern-day violin.

* The shehenai
This instrument is usually played at auspicious events and ceremonies.

* The tabla
This is the name for Indian drums which are usually made from wood with animal-skin covers on top.