Musikpedia
In-depth articles on 14 instruments: history and construction, acoustics and sound, playing technique, repertoire – and what really matters when you start. Written for curious readers, parents and learners.
Each article stands on its own and can be read from beginning to end or navigated through its table of contents. If you are looking for an instrument, the sections on sizes, buying and starting age give the practical answers; if you want to go deeper, there are acoustics, history and repertoire.
String Instruments
Violin
From violin making in Cremona and the Baroque bow to vibrato, the Suzuki method and fiddle traditions.
String instrumentCello
Construction, endpin and tuning, bowing, thumb position and the great solo repertoire.
String instrumentDouble Bass
Sizes and string lengths, German and French bow, jazz pizzicato and orchestral practice.
Woodwind Instruments
Recorder
A duct flute from sopranino to bass: history, types, fingerings, intonation and repertoire.
Woodwind instrumentFlute
The Boehm system, blowing technique and embouchure, headjoint, materials and repertoire.
Woodwind instrumentOboe
The double reed, reed making, air control, giving the orchestra its A, and the oboe family.
Plucked String Instruments
Guitar
Classical and steel-string guitar: construction, strings, technique, chords and styles from classical to flamenco.
Electric string instrumentElectric Guitar
Pickups, amplifiers and effects, body shapes from Telecaster to Les Paul, playing techniques.
Electric string instrumentElectric Bass
From double bass to Precision Bass, strings and pickups, slap, groove and playing in a band.
Keyboard Instruments
Piano
Grand and upright piano: the action, strings and soundboard, tuning, pedals, technique and repertoire.
Keyboard instrumentKeyboard
Synthesis and sampling, auto-accompaniment, touch sensitivity, MIDI and choosing an instrument.
Free-reed instrumentAccordion
Free reeds and bellows, piano and button systems, Stradella bass, from musette to tango.
Percussion Instruments
Drum Kit
Setting up the kit, heads and cymbals, grip, grooves and tuning the drums.
Percussion instrumentPercussion
Congas, cajón, djembe and orchestral percussion: timbres, hand technique and rhythms.
Further reading
Short overviews of all instruments are on the instruments page; to train your ear, note reading and theory there are the exercises and the sheet-music archive.
Last updated: September 2026 · Musikpedia editorial team, Maikstrings Cuxhaven