List of musical instruments by Hornbostel-Sachs number: 31

This is a list of instruments by Hornbostel-Sachs number, covering those instruments that are classified under 31 under that system. This category includes all instruments consisting of a simple string bearer and strings. An additional resonator may be present, but it is not integral, so removing it should not destroy the instrument - the resonator must not be supporting the strings.

3: Instruments in which sound is produced by one or more vibrating strings (chordophones, string instruments).

31: Instruments which consist solely of a string bearer or a string bearer with a resonator that is not integral to the instrument

311: Instruments with a string bearer shaped like a bar, or consisting of a sideways board (bar zithers)

311.1: Instruments with a flexible or curved string bearer

311.12: Instruments with string made from a different material than the string bearer

311.121: Instruments with only one heterochord string

311.121.2: Instrument has a resonator

311.121.22: Instrument has a resonator that is attached

311.121.221: Instrument does not have a tuning noose

311.121.222: Instrument does have a tuning noose

311.2: Instrument has a rigid and inflexible string carrier (stick zither)

311.22: Instrument has no curved or flexible end (true stick zither)

311.221: Instrument has one resonator gourd

312: Instrument has a string bearer made of a vaulted surface (tube zithers)

313: Instrument has a string bearer made from canes tied together like a raft (raft zithers)

314: Instrument uses a string bearer that is shaped like a board, or is the ground (board zithers)

315: Instrument with strings stretched across the mouth of a trough (trough zithers)

316: Instrument uses strings stretched across an open frame (frame zither)

This category includes musical bows, zithers and some keyboard instruments like the piano and harpsichord.

These instruments may be classified with a suffix, based on how the strings are caused to vibrate.

• 4: Hammers or beaters
• 5: Bare hands and fingers
• 6: Plectrum
• 7: Bowing
  • 71: Using a bow
  • 72: Using a wheel
  • 73: Using a ribbon
• 8: Keyboard
• 9: Using a mechanical drive

List

• Clavichord
• Harpsichord
• Musical bow
• Piano
• Zither
  • Gayageum
  • Overtone zither
• Aeolian harp
• Koto
• Cymbalum
• Hammered dulcimer

References

• von Hornbostel, Erich M.; Curt Sachs (March 1961). "Classification of Musical Instruments: Translated from the Original German by Anthony Baines and Klaus P. Wachsmann". The Galpin Society Journal (Galpin Society) 14: 3–29. doi:10.2307/842168. JSTOR 842168.

Hornbostel–Sachs system
1. Idiophone (list)	11. Struck 111. Directly 111.1. Concussion 111.2. Percussion 112. Indirectly 112.1. Shaken/rattle 112.2. Scraped 12. Plucked 121. Frame 121.1. Clack 121.2. Guimbarde 122. Comb 122.1. Lace 122.2. Cut out 13. Friction 131. Stick Nail violin 132. Plaque Musical saw 133. Vessel Glass harmonica 14. Blown 141. Stick 142. Plaque
2. Membran- ophone (list)	21. Struck 211. Directly 211.1. Bowl 211.2. Tubular 211.3. Frame 212. Shaken 22. Plucked Nyatiti 23. Friction 231. Stick 232. Cord 233. Hand 24. Kazoo 241. Free 242. Tube/vessel
3. Chordophone (list)	31. Simple / zither 311. Bar/stick Musical bow Stick zither 312. Tube Whole Half 313. Raft Idiochord Heterochord 314. Board 315. Trough 316. Frame 32. Composite 321. Lute 321.1. Bow 321.2. Yoke 322. Harp 322.1. Open 322.2. Frame 323. Harp lute
4. Aerophone (list)	41. Free 411. Displacement Whip 412. Interruptive 412.1. Idiophonic/reed 412.2. Non-idiophonic 413. Plosive 42. Non-free 421. Flute 421.1. Non-fipple 421.2. Fipple 422. Reed 422.1. Double reed 422.2. Single reed 422.3. Reedpipe 423. Brass 423.1 Natural 423.2 Chromatic
5. Electrophone (list)	51. Action 52. Amplification 53. Radioelectric
List of musical instruments by Hornbostel-Sachs number Musical instrument classification