Musical Instruments from Around the World

By world instruments, we often mean exotic musical instruments. There are hundreds of musical instruments found across the globe, so putting together a truly complete list can be a challenge. Still, some instruments, more widely known than others, are strongly associated with certain continents.

Well-known African instruments include the kalimba, the djembe, and the darbouka. Asian instruments include Tibetan singing bowls, the guzheng, the erhu, and the Indian harmonium, which are iconic instruments from that region. Instruments of the Americas include the tongue drum and the pan flute, which are especially representative, while European instruments, such as the ocarina and the handpan, reflect the craftsmanship of local makers. Finally, Middle Eastern instruments are represented by the harpika, the oud, and the eiqq.

Instruments from around the world are a unique way to travel and discover different cultures through music.