Musical Instruments Of Ancient Times And Early Ages

Ancient Musical Instruments

Since early days of human culture man’s love for sounds of nature has led to musical instruments coming to life. Musical instruments that were earlier made in their crude form have taken new shapes over the years. However, it’s the sounds of musical instruments in ancient times and early ages that have left us spellbound with awe and admiration.

Some of the earliest elements associated with music were natural sounds.Human voice, sounds of birds chirping, water gushing in a stream, rain falling to ground, and sound of withered leaves making a crackling sound inspired man to make crude musical instruments.Some of the earliest sound man produced was hitting two objects together.The sound of wooden sticks is considered the earliest crude instrument that took shape as a musical instrument.

Earliest Musical Instruments

While the earliest musical sounds created by man were produced on water surfaces, its crude woodwind instruments made from bone and wood that first made musical sounds imbibing nature’s elements.Sharp stones and sharp edges made from wood, animal horns and teeth were used to give shape and make holes in woodwind instruments.The flute is known to be one of the oldest musical instruments.

Many historians are of the opinion it was crude versions of the flute that made their way in the Paleolithic age.Percussive sounds were produced by two objects either hitting each other, rubbing each other for a sound vibration.

While the earliest flutes made by man are believed to be made from bones of the dead, there is no conclusive evidence in regard with this theory.Some of the earliest crude woodwind instruments that have been found during archeological studies at excavation sites have been found to be made from mammoth ivory tusks.Through the earliest years in human culture, different types of woodwind instrument have taken shape.Crude pan flute instruments producing shrill melodic high notes were used by man in their clan to make signal calls during hunting.

In ancient times man made the use of animal hide to make crude drum instruments to produce hollow depths in sound.Even today, most drums used in traditional music are made from animal skin.While drums made from different animal hide have been found at excavation sites, experts are of the opinion the earliest crude hand drums were made with elephant skin.Some of the earliest slit drums made from tree logs dates back to 75,000 BC.Also, crude cane rattles were used in early times as a symbolic ritual in clans.Crude and ethnic musical instruments of ancient times have paved the way for design and construction of modern musical instruments.

The space below showcases an epic list of musical instruments used in ancient times and the early ages.

Ancient Greek Musical Instruments

Ancient Egyptian Musical Instruments

Ancient Roman Musical Instruments

Ancient Chinese Musical Instruments

Musical Instruments of the Middle Ages- Medieval and Renaissance times

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