About InstrumentDB

A database of 167 musical instruments spanning every culture and era. From the oldest bone flutes to modern electronic synthesizers.

Each instrument page lists where it originated, the approximate year or period it appeared, its family (keyboard, string, woodwind, brass, percussion, wind, or electronic), and a short history with notable facts. Dates for ancient instruments are approximate.

Browse by family, by country of origin, or by era from the home page, or search by name. Each instrument page links to other instruments in the same family.