Wind Instrument

Musical instrument producing sound through vibrating air.

aerophone

A wind instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating a column of air.

Pronunciation

/wɪnd ˈɪnstrʊmənt/

Etymology

The term 'wind instrument' comes from the fact that wind, or air, is used to create sound.

Explain Like I’m 5

Wind instruments make music by blowing air into them, which makes a part of the instrument vibrate and create sound, like when you blow across the top of a bottle.

Fun Facts

The oldest known wind instrument is a bone flute found in Germany, dating back 43,000 years
Some wind instruments use reeds to vibrate the air, while others rely on an edge or hole
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument from Indigenous Australian cultures

FAQ

What is a wind instrument? It's an instrument that produces sound by vibrating air
How do they work? Air is blown into the instrument, causing a part to vibrate
What are some examples? Flutes, clarinets, and trumpets are wind instruments

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

reed instrument brass instrument woodwind instrument

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

musical instrument

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

flute clarinet trumpet saxophone organ harmonica

Meronyms — Parts or Components

reed valve bore mouthpiece

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

orchestra band ensemble

Indexes

acoustic musical instrument

Built by Tim Jones