instrument types
In Natya Shastra, Sage Bharat Muni has given the classification of instruments.
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Stringed instruments (Tat Vadya)
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Wind instruments (Sushir Vadya)
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Percussion instruments - membranophone instruments (Avanaddha Vadya)
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Idiophone instruments (Ghana Vadya)
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Stringed instruments
Includes instruments with strings. Divided in two types
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Tat instruments
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Produce a note by striking the strings with certain objects.
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Veena, Sitar, Sarod, Santoor, etc
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Vitat instruments
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Played with the help of a bow
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Sound created by the friction of the bow upon the strings
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Sarangi, Violin, Dilruba, Tar-Shehnai, etc
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Wind instruments
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Produce a sound by blowing air
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Includes Shehnai, Clarinet, Harmonium
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For harmonium, the air pressure created by the plate creates the sound
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Percussion instruments
Instruments made out of wood, mud, metal, or stone and have a face comprised of animal hide. In ancient times, an instrument called Bhoomi-Dundubhi existed, with a large hole dug in the ground and an animal hide which was struck with wooden sticks.
When Sage Swati noticed the trickling of water upon a group of small and large lotuses in a body of water, he used the inspiration to create instruments such as Mridang, Dundhubi, Aalingya, Urdhwak, and Ankik.
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Old instruments mentioned in texts: Tripushkar, Mridang, Damru, etc
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Modern age instruments: Pakhawaaj, Tabla, Dholki, Dholak, Dhol, Daf, etc
Idiophone instruments
Instruments played by metals striking against each other.
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Examples: Tal, Ghunghroo, Jhanjh, etc
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Tal is used in devotional songs (Bhajans)
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Notes:
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Stringed and wind instruments can play multiple musical notes / swars
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Idiophonic instruments and percussion instruments such as tabla do not produce multiple musical notes. The tabla is tuned to a single musical note (such as C or C sharp). Both these types of instruments indicate the laya and taal, which can be beneficial for the main artist for stability.