String musical instruments include a wide variety of instruments, some originating thousands of years ago. The pitch of string instruments depends not only on the string length but also on its thickness, weight and tension. The vibration of strings against the soundboard produces sound. String instruments come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the Oud to the Sitar to the Harp.

Wind instruments are technically known as aerophones. Wind instruments produce sound when the column of air inside them is set into vibration by either a reed or the player's lips. Their tuning is controlled by the length of their pipe. Wind instruments from various parts of the world are presented, and include flutes, whistles, bagpipes, didgeridoo, harmonium and many more.

Drums are the oldest instruments in all human cultures. They are used universally by humans all over the world back as far as history records.

Percussion instruments have been around for thousands of years in every culture in the world. They have been used in many different ways, such as communicating with neighboring communities, accompanying dance, and facilitating ceremonies and rituals.

There are many different percussion instruments. "Percussion" comes from the Latin word percutere, which in English means, "to strike." Not all instruments classified as percussion actually make their sounds by being struck. Some are shaken, clapped together, or even scraped (guiro). Some percussion instruments are pitched, and others are non-pitched. What most of them have in common, though, is performing a rhythmic function in music.