What are Acoustic Instruments?

In the rich world of acoustic instruments, music comes alive in its most authentic form. Characterized by their natural sounds, acoustic instruments are an essential part of many musical styles. Continue reading to learn about acoustic instruments and their unique qualities.

What does acoustic mean?

Before we dive deeper into the world of acoustic instruments, let’s talk about what the term “acoustic” means. When talking about musical instruments, “acoustic” describes the production and carrying of sound waves without an electric signal. In other words, acoustic music relies completely on the natural resonance of the materials in the instrument.

In addition to the sound of the music, the word “acoustic” can also describe the qualities of an environment, for example, the acoustics of a room. In this context, the acoustics of the room refers to how the room is designed to enhance certain sound qualities.

Types of acoustic instruments

You can recognize an acoustic instrument by its ability to generate sound through vibrations. Some examples of acoustic instruments are the acoustic guitar, violin, flute, piano and drums. Let’s look at these in more detail!

String instruments

The sound of acoustic string instruments is generated by vibrations in the strings. The most common acoustic string instruments are the acoustic guitar, violin, and cello. The small ukulele is also a member of the acoustic family! The guitar has 6-12 strings attached to its hollow body and is played by plucking the strings. The 4 strings of a violin, on the other hand, are played with a bow to generate brighter tones. The cello is also played in a similar manner with a bow, but the instrument is larger and produces a deeper sound.

Wind instruments

Acoustic wind instruments produce sound by the air vibration inside the instrument. This means that the musician’s breath generates the sound. The flute, piccolo, clarinet, and saxophone are all examples of acoustic wind instruments. These types of instruments are played by blowing air across a mouthpiece. For example, the vibrations in the flute occur in the air column inside the instrument, and in the clarinet, a reed vibrates against the mouthpiece.

Percussion instruments

Instruments that produce sound through surface vibrations are called acoustic percussion instruments. A vibration can be caused by striking, shaking, or rubbing the surface of the instrument, like on a drum, tambourine, cymbal or xylophone. Acoustic percussion instruments are important for providing rhythm and variety.

Characteristics of acoustic instruments

Acoustic instruments have unique characteristics that contribute to their special sound. Let’s explore some of the most important acoustic properties!

• Lack of electronic components. The most unique characteristic of acoustic instruments is their lack of electronic amplification. Without the need for electricity, acoustic instruments are suitable for various settings.
• Natural resonance. The vibrations inside the acoustic instruments produce their music. The instrument’s body, shape, and design impact the resonance and overall sound.
• Rich and warm tones. Acoustic instruments produce deeper and warmer tones than electric instruments. The choice of materials affects the sound. For example, wood contributes to deeper tones, while metal produces a brighter sound.
• Physical contact. If you’ve played an acoustic instrument, you know that physical contact is necessary to produce sound. This can include blowing air or plucking strings.
• Acoustic performance. Acoustic instruments are known for their wide and dynamic range. During an acoustic performance, musicians are able to play a soft and nuanced melody or grow in intensity to deliver a powerful performance.

Understanding the key characteristics of acoustic instruments can help you produce a wide range of music. Musicians and songwriters often choose acoustic instruments based on the sound they want and the musical genre.

Acoustic music in different genres

Thanks to the versatility and adaptability of acoustic instruments, they are suitable for a wide range of musical genres. Acoustic instruments are common in both traditional and modern music. Orchestras often use violins and cellos, while acoustic guitars are prevalent in everything from folk to jazz, blues, country, and acoustic pop or rock.

If you’re a beginner and want to learn how to play a musical instrument, the acoustic guitar is a great choice. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to play the guitar. If you want to learn more acoustic songs, country music is a great genre to get started with. We’ve gathered 13 popular country songs for you to learn. You can find more songs in the Yousician song library.

Learn to play acoustic instruments with Yousician

Now you understand the basics of acoustic instruments and the important role they play in a wide range of musical styles. You may even be able to recognize some acoustic instruments in your favorite songs! To learn how to play acoustic instruments, download Youcician, your personal music teacher. To deepen your knowledge on a range of musical topics, check out our complete Musician’s Glossary.