Musical instruments are as diverse as the cultures that created them. From stringed instruments (chordophones) to wind instruments (aerophones), they’re classified in countless ways. Music is a universal language, and instruments are its vocabulary.
Ready to expand your musical lexicon? This article explores musical instruments starting with K from around the world. We’ve included instruments that are widely recognized and documented and have a rich history in their respective musical traditions.
So, let’s dive in and discover the fascinating world of the letter K when it comes to the world of music!
Stringed Instruments (Chordophones) That Start with “K”
While the list of instruments starting with “K” isn’t extensive, there are a few beautiful and culturally significant stringed instruments that deserve a closer look:
Kantele
The kantele is a traditional Finnish zither, typically constructed with a wooden body and strings that are plucked to create a bright, clear sound. It’s more than just an instrument; it’s a symbol of Finnish national identity, deeply woven into Finnish folklore and mythology.
Kora
Hailing from West Africa, the kora is a long-necked harp lute. Its construction features a gourd resonator, a bridge, and numerous strings. Players pluck the strings with both hands to produce a rich, complex sound. The kora holds great cultural importance in Mandinka culture, playing a vital role in storytelling and praise singing.
Kobza
The kobza is a Ukrainian multi-stringed instrument of the lute family. It features a pear-shaped body and a short neck. The strings are plucked to create music. The instrument is prominent in Ukrainian folk music and was often played by wandering minstrels called kobzars.
Wind Instruments (Aerophones) Starting with “K”
Let’s explore some wind instruments that start with the letter “K.”
Kaval
The kaval is an end-blown flute found in the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East. It’s typically made of wood or cane, and you play it by blowing air across the edge of the flute, like you would with a bottle.
The kaval is important in folk music and at traditional ceremonies. It’s often associated with shepherds and rural life in general.
Kazoo
The kazoo is a simple American instrument that changes the sound of your voice. It’s made of a small tube with a membrane stretched across it. To play it, you hum into the instrument.
Kazoos are often used to add a comedic effect in different kinds of music. You’ll often hear them in jug bands and in novelty music.
Khene
The khene is a free-reed mouth organ from Laos. It’s made with bamboo pipes and metal reeds. To play it, you blow air into the instrument while covering holes.
The khene is the national instrument of Laos, and it’s used in traditional Lao music and at ceremonies.
Percussion Instruments Starting with “K”
There are surprisingly few well-known musical instruments that start with the letter “K,” but here are a few percussion instruments that fit the bill:
Kanjira
The kanjira is a South Indian frame drum made of a circular wooden frame covered with a stretched lizard skin. Players strike the skin with their hands to create sounds. The kanjira provides rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic music performances.
Kakko
The kakko is a small Japanese barrel drum with a wooden body and drumheads on both ends. Players use sticks to strike the heads. The kakko provides rhythmic support in gagaku, a style of Japanese court music.
Kayamb
The kayamb is a type of idiophone, or percussion instrument that’s made of naturally sonorous material, from Madagascar and surrounding islands. These rattles are filled with seeds or pebbles, and players shake the instrument to create sound. The kayamb provides rhythmic accompaniment in traditional music and dance.
Lesser-Known “K” Instruments: A Global Perspective
While the keyboard, kazoo, and kora may be the best-known instruments starting with “K,” there are many others played around the world.
Kabosy (Madagascar)
The kabosy is a box zither or lute with a variable number of strings. These instruments are made from a variety of materials and tuned in a number of ways. Kabosy instruments are used in traditional Malagasy music and are often played at social gatherings and rituals.
Kadlong (Philippines)
The indigenous people of the Philippines play the kadlong, a bamboo zither. Each instrument is unique, and the playing techniques vary from community to community. The kadlong plays an important part in storytelling and community traditions.
Kagurabue (Japan)
The kagurabue is a transverse flute used in Shinto ritual music (kagura). The construction and sound of the kagurabue are distinctive, and the instrument plays a vital ceremonial role in Shinto rituals and performances.
Kemenche (Turkey/Greece/Iran)
The kemenche is a bowed stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body. There are regional variations of the instrument, and the playing style and tone vary as well. The kemenche is used in folk music and classical traditions and appears in many different cultural settings.
Komuz (Central Asia)
The komuz is a fretless, three-stringed lute common in Turkic cultures. There are unique playing techniques involved in playing the komuz, which is significant in nomadic traditions. The instrument is used in storytelling, epic performances, and social gatherings.
The Ongoing Story of “K” Instruments
Instruments like the kora and the kantele aren’t frozen in time. They’ve evolved, and musicians continue to find new ways to play them. For example, some kora players are experimenting with electronic effects, while others are blending traditional kora music with genres like jazz and blues. You can find kantele players doing everything from folk music to experimental sound art.
It’s important that we keep these traditions alive, which is why many cultural organizations are working to document these instruments, teach people how to play them, and promote their use in contemporary music. The future of these instruments depends on passing them down to new generations and finding new ways for them to thrive in today’s music scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of drum starts with K?
While there aren’t many common drums that start with “K”, the most likely answer is a Kettle Drum. Kettle drums, also known as timpani, are large, bowl-shaped drums typically found in orchestras. They produce a distinct, resonant sound and are often used for dramatic effect.
What is the Japanese musical instrument K?
The Japanese instrument that starts with “K” is the Koto. The koto is a long, 13-stringed zither that is traditionally played with ivory picks attached to the fingers. It produces a beautiful, delicate sound and is an important part of Japanese classical music.
What instruments do they play in K-On?
In the anime K-On!, the main characters play a variety of instruments as part of their school’s light music club. These include a guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboard. Yui Hirasawa plays a Heritage Cherry Sunburst Gibson Les Paul guitar, and Mio Akiyama plays a Fender Japan ’62 Reissue Left-Handed Jazz Bass.
What is a horn that starts with K?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a widely recognized or common horn instrument that starts with the letter “K.” Horns are typically classified by their construction and playing method rather than names starting with “K.” You might be thinking of a lesser-known or regional variation, but nothing immediately comes to mind.
Closing Thoughts
From the powerful kora to the melodic kantele, instruments starting with “K” showcase the incredible variety and cultural importance of music around the world. These instruments preserve traditions, tell stories, and connect us to our shared human experience. The power of music, regardless of the instrument, continues to bridge cultures and unite people.