Instrument Classification
Chordophones
These stringed instruments are very well known through history. Examples of chordophones today are the violin and guitar. The design of these instruments often include strings that are stretched across the sound box of the instrument and connect to pegs or a bar that can be adjusted for tuning. Popular examples of chordophones in biblical times include the harp or lyre. Despite being similar, harps and lyres have critical differences in their shape, which is necessary for producing their unique sound. For example, the lyre had various sizes and designs, but all of them have arms that are parallel with a rod across the top. This produces a “U” shape, where the strings connect to pegs on the rod and stretch to attach to the bottom of the sound box. In contrast, harps are shaped angularly, similar to the shape of the sign “<”. There is rarely a sound box in a harp, and the shape of the harp gradually opens for different tones from different sized strings. Like the lyre, pegs on top of the instrument can be used for tightening and tuning purposes. Despite what many biblical translations state, the original Hebrew text shows that King David played a kinnor, or lyre, and not a harp.
Aerophones
Aerophones are classified as wind instruments, where the musician blows air across or through an opening to make sound. Examples of Aerophones today are the trombone, saxophone, and flute. The shofar is considered to be one of the most popular Aerophones in the Bible, especially during the Old Testament. This instrument was significant, as it was used for preparing people for war, or for calling people to a gathering. Usually made from an animals horn, particularly from a ram. It is written in the Bible that this instrument was used in the battle of Jericho. In the Bible, the trumpet is an instrument that was used for mainly the same purposes as the shofar, while the trumpet was made of metal and was used for more musical purposes like worship and royal occasions. Pipes were also played, and are sometimes referred to as flutes. They were commonly constructed from clay, wood, and bone. Flutes and pipes are examples of instruments that can manipulate emotions with ease due to their soft and controlled tonality, which is why they are used for funerals, dancing and celebrating.
Membranophones
This instrument consists of a membrane stretched across an opening where the surface can be struck to produce sound. The tof, or frame drum is well known in the Bible and is also translated as the tambourine or timbrel. An example of these drums being used in the bible is when Miriam led the woman in celebrating following the Exodus using the tofs.
Idiophones
These are instruments that produce sound inside them. Examples of these include cymbals, bells, and rattles. Interestingly, Priests wore garments that had bells sewn into the hems of the clothing. The main purpose for this was to indicate the priests presence and activity in a sacred space. In the Holy of Holies for instance, this would indicate whether a priest had entered and died, or was still alive because God’s presence was so immense.
These stringed instruments are very well known through history. Examples of chordophones today are the violin and guitar. The design of these instruments often include strings that are stretched across the sound box of the instrument and connect to pegs or a bar that can be adjusted for tuning. Popular examples of chordophones in biblical times include the harp or lyre. Despite being similar, harps and lyres have critical differences in their shape, which is necessary for producing their unique sound. For example, the lyre had various sizes and designs, but all of them have arms that are parallel with a rod across the top. This produces a “U” shape, where the strings connect to pegs on the rod and stretch to attach to the bottom of the sound box. In contrast, harps are shaped angularly, similar to the shape of the sign “<”. There is rarely a sound box in a harp, and the shape of the harp gradually opens for different tones from different sized strings. Like the lyre, pegs on top of the instrument can be used for tightening and tuning purposes. Despite what many biblical translations state, the original Hebrew text shows that King David played a kinnor, or lyre, and not a harp.
Aerophones
Aerophones are classified as wind instruments, where the musician blows air across or through an opening to make sound. Examples of Aerophones today are the trombone, saxophone, and flute. The shofar is considered to be one of the most popular Aerophones in the Bible, especially during the Old Testament. This instrument was significant, as it was used for preparing people for war, or for calling people to a gathering. Usually made from an animals horn, particularly from a ram. It is written in the Bible that this instrument was used in the battle of Jericho. In the Bible, the trumpet is an instrument that was used for mainly the same purposes as the shofar, while the trumpet was made of metal and was used for more musical purposes like worship and royal occasions. Pipes were also played, and are sometimes referred to as flutes. They were commonly constructed from clay, wood, and bone. Flutes and pipes are examples of instruments that can manipulate emotions with ease due to their soft and controlled tonality, which is why they are used for funerals, dancing and celebrating.
Membranophones
This instrument consists of a membrane stretched across an opening where the surface can be struck to produce sound. The tof, or frame drum is well known in the Bible and is also translated as the tambourine or timbrel. An example of these drums being used in the bible is when Miriam led the woman in celebrating following the Exodus using the tofs.
Idiophones
These are instruments that produce sound inside them. Examples of these include cymbals, bells, and rattles. Interestingly, Priests wore garments that had bells sewn into the hems of the clothing. The main purpose for this was to indicate the priests presence and activity in a sacred space. In the Holy of Holies for instance, this would indicate whether a priest had entered and died, or was still alive because God’s presence was so immense.