Musical Instruments Beginning With B

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Bagpipe

A wind instrument that is played by blowing air into a pipe leading to the windbag. Air squeezed from the bag into reed pipes. One pipe has finger holes that used to play the melody. The other pipes, called drones, are used to continuously sound one tome each.

Pronunciation:

Example:

Country of origin: Scotland

Balofon

A gourd-resonated xylophone, originally from West Africa.

Pronunciation:

Example:

Country of origin: Africa

Banjo

A stringed instrument in the guitar family with a long neck, five strings and a round body like a tambourine with an open back. A banjo’s strings are strummed or plucked with the fingers.

Pronunciation:

Example:

Country of origin: Africa

Bass Drum

The largest drum. It stands upright and is hit on the side. It is used in both orchestras and marching bands.

Pronunciation:

Example:

Bassoon

This long, narrow woodwind instrument has a double reed. Its wooden tube is doubled back on itself to reduce its height and ends with a bell that points up. Bassoons play the low notes in the woodwind family.

Pronunciation:

Example:

Bells

A collection of bells that are worn, often around the ankle of a traditional dancer

Pronunciation:

Example:

Country of origin: North America

Biwa

A Japanese short-necked lute, often used in narrative storytelling.

Pronunciation:

Country of origin: Japan

Bodhran

An Irish drum whose construction includes two perpendicular pieces of wood at the back used to hold the instrument. It is most commonly played with a stick that has a knob at one or both ends.

Country of origin: Ireland