Some of the well-known instruments that people use today are guitars, pianos, violins, and much more. But did you know there are countless ancient musical instruments unknown to the modern times?
Here is a list of some ancient instruments in history.
• Phorminx – this Ancient Greek instrument is one of the oldest stringed musical instruments, which is somewhat like a cross between a kithara and a lyre. It has a crescent-shaped sound box with two to seven strings and decorated arms. It said to have originated in Mesopotamia and is associated with the Homeric rhapsodies.
• Bullroarer – also known as turndun or rhombus. The bullroarer is an early ritual instrument during the Paleolithic period, and was used as a tool to communicate in large distances. It is made of a thin, rectangular slab of wood, approximately six inches to twenty four inches long. The bullroarer has a twisted cord and is swung in circles in a horizontal plane. It creates a vibrato, roaring sound.
• Rattle – this is a kind of percussion instrument which is described as Shaken Idiophones. It is made from hollow wood, shells or bamboo cane and filled with sand or small stones in it. The rattle creates a breezy and murmurous sound.
• Syrinx – it is a kind of wind instrument which is used by shepherds and is connected to the Greek god Pan. It is said that Syrinx was a nymph who was transformed into a hollow reed and was known as Pan’s syrinx.
• Tympanum – also known as the tympanon or tympanum, a kind of tambourine or frame drum. This kind of ancient Greek instrument is made up of circular, hollowed-out wood which is played by beating with a stick or palm of the hand.
Can you cite some other ancient musical instrument too?