classification of instruments

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fatbananas
Posts: 1411
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:03 pm

classification of instruments

Post by fatbananas »

Can anyone tell me:

Do harmoniums, spinets, pianos, harmonicas, didgeridoo, organs, all come under percussion? :?
Seize the day ... before it seizes you.
yoyo123
Posts: 8099
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: classification of instruments

Post by yoyo123 »

wouldn't have thought didgeridoo did, you blow down it not whack it with a stick...

(can you tell I'm not a music specialist?)
muffinmonster
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Location: London

Re: classification of instruments

Post by muffinmonster »

Well, as far as I know, harmoniums, spinets, pianos are all, strictly speaking, percussion instruments, though they are more usually classified as keyboard instruments. Harmonicas and didgeridoo are wind instruments, surely? So are organs, I think, as the sound comes from air in the pipes.

Of course you could whack a didgeridoo with a stick if you so wished, and I've seen a performer strum the strings inside a piano as if it were a harp.
yoyo123
Posts: 8099
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: classification of instruments

Post by yoyo123 »

Maybe I could whack the piano with a didgeridoo! Might make a better noise than when I attempted to play it conventionally!


A whole new genre of music awaits me :D

(Sorry , wandering off topic almost as easily as I wander off key)
JRM
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by JRM »

An organ is a wind instrument. Mr JRM used the comparison that a trumpet is a wind instrument as that is what makes the sound even though you press the little keys.

He is now wondering round discussing with himself why it is necessary to classify instruments by type at all. I hope he doesn't think I am still listening.
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
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fatbananas
Posts: 1411
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:03 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by fatbananas »

Yes, I was wondering if a harmonium is a wind instrument as well? Tell Mr JRM I thought it might be helpful for VR: those questions where you have to say which group certain things belong to!! So, no, no practical use whatsoever!
Seize the day ... before it seizes you.
mystery
Posts: 8927
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:56 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by mystery »

Yes, harmonium is not percussion as the sound is not produced by something being hit. Depending on what the spinet actually is (it can take several forms), it isn't percussion unless it's a diddy piano with hammers hitting the strings.

There was very little percussion on the original list.

What a lovely question. Makes a change to all those regurgitated maths questions. Just going to hit the sack. (Is that a form of percussion?)
JRM
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by JRM »

My spinet is a didly piano thing. I alwaysfound it exciting when I was little because the balck and white keys are the opposite colour to on a piano. Although actually, the hammer things pluck the string rather than hit it. So that wouldn't be percussion, but a stringed instrument. Maybe I'll get round to looking it up one day.
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
Dr Seuss
fatbananas
Posts: 1411
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:03 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by fatbananas »

Thanks JRM - I'd love to own a spinet! I tried googling these various instruments but I couldn't find any classifications. Perhaps that means the question will never come up in VR :roll:, but I love knowing that kind of trivia anyway :oops: . And, no, I don't get out much ... :P
Seize the day ... before it seizes you.
JRM
Posts: 301
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:32 pm

Re: classification of instruments

Post by JRM »

My spinet and baby grand piano are at my Mum's house because we don't have room. I get to play the organ and get paid for the priviledge which is nice, but you have now made me desperate to build a music room on the back of the house. So if you could just supply the financing you are welcome to come and play any time :lol:
The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
Dr Seuss
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