The world of musical instruments is vast and varied. From stringed chordophones to wind-powered aerophones, cultures across the globe have developed unique ways to make music.
This article narrows our focus to a specific subset of instruments: those beginning with the letter “K.” While not as numerous as instruments starting with other letters, the “K” category holds some fascinating examples with unique origins and cultural significance.
Join us as we explore a variety of instruments beginning with “K,” spanning different regions and musical traditions. Get ready to learn about the instruments beginning with K that you may have never heard of before.
Stringed instruments (chordophones) that start with “K”
Believe it or not, there are quite a few stringed instruments that start with the letter “K.” Here are some of the most interesting:
Kantele
The kantele is a plucked string instrument in the zither family that comes to us from Finland and Karelia. Typically, it’s made of wood, and the number of strings varies.
This instrument has a special place in Finnish folklore and is seen as a symbol of national identity. You’ll hear it in both traditional and modern Finnish music.
Kobza
The kobza is a multi-stringed lute from Ukraine. It has a round body and a short neck.
The kobza played a major role in Ukrainian folk music. After being mostly forgotten, it’s seeing a resurgence in modern times.
Komuz
The komuz is a fretless stringed instrument from Kyrgyzstan. It’s carved from a single piece of wood and has three strings.
It is very important in Kyrgyz nomadic culture and is often used in storytelling and epic musical performances.
Kora
The kora is a long-necked harp lute from West Africa. It features a large calabash gourd resonator and 21 strings.
In Mandinka culture, the kora is played by griots, who use it to accompany their storytelling and to recite genealogies.
Koto
The koto is a long Japanese zither with 13 strings stretched over movable bridges.
The koto has a special place in Japanese traditional music and has long been associated with the imperial court.
Wind Instruments (Aerophones) Starting with “K”
The letter “K” isn’t a particularly common starting point for musical instruments, but there are still a few interesting wind instruments that start with this letter.
Kagurabue
This Japanese flute is used in Shinto ritual music, called Kagura. The flute itself plays an important role in religious ceremonies and is associated with certain Shinto deities and rituals.
Kalaleng
The Kalaleng, also called a Tongali, is a nose flute from the Philippines. Musicians play it by blowing air through their nose. It’s used in the traditional music of indigenous communities in the Philippines.
Kaval
The kaval is an end-blown flute found in the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East. It has a distinctive beveled edge and is used in folk music. It is often associated with shepherds and rural life.
Kazoo
The kazoo is a simple American instrument that modifies a person’s voice. It works by vibrating a membrane. It is often associated with novelty music due to its accessible nature.
Khene
The khene is a free-reed mouth organ from Laos and Thailand. It’s made with bamboo pipes and metal reeds and is important in Lao and Thai folk music, particularly in Lam music.
Khloy
The khloy is a Khmer (Cambodian) duct flute usually made of bamboo or wood. It plays a key role in Cambodian traditional music and ceremonies.
Percussion instruments (membranophones and idiophones) starting with “K”
Here are some percussion instruments from around the world that start with the letter “K.”
- Kakko: This small Japanese drum is used in Gagaku, the ancient court music of Japan. The kakko has two drumheads and plays a precise rhythmic role in ensemble performances.
- Kanjira: The kanjira is a frame drum from South India. It has a single drumhead and jingles and is used in Carnatic music ensembles.
- Kayamb (Kaiamba): A flat rattle indigenous to Réunion and Mauritius, the kayamb consists of a frame filled with seeds or pebbles. It’s used in Sega music and is an important part of the culture of the Indian Ocean islands.
- Kebero: This large, double-headed drum is used in Ethiopian Orthodox Christian liturgical music and plays a key role in religious ceremonies.
- Kendang (Gendang): The kendang is a double-headed drum used in Indonesian gamelan music. It’s important for rhythmic control within the ensemble.
- Khartal: A pair of wooden clappers, the khartal is used in Indian devotional music, particularly in Bhajans and Kirtans, and is an important part of Hindu religious music.
- Khol (Mrdanga): The khol is a double-headed drum from Eastern India, used especially in devotional music. It’s associated with Vaishnavism.
- Krakebs: These large metal castanets are used in Gnawa music of Morocco. They produce a distinctive sound and are used in Gnawa spiritual ceremonies.
Other Less Common Instruments
While the keyboard and the kazoo may be the best-known instruments starting with “k,” there are others, including:
- Kabosy: A box guitar from Madagascar. In Malagasy folk music, the kabosy is usually a small, four-stringed instrument with a boxy body.
- Kadlong: From the Philippines, the kadlong is a bamboo tube zither played by plucking the strings. It’s used in music among indigenous communities.
- Kamancha: The kamancha is a Persian bowed string instrument that’s important in Persian classical music.
- Kemenche: A Turkish bowed string instrument similar to the kamancha, the kemenche is a key part of Turkish folk music.
- Kokyu: The kokyu is a Japanese bowed lute. It’s similar to the shamisen, another Japanese instrument.
- Koncovka: A Slovakian fipple flute with a simple design and playing technique that’s used in Slovakian folk music.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Japanese instrument that starts with K?
The most well-known Japanese instrument starting with “K” is the koto. It’s a long, 13-stringed zither traditionally played with ivory picks on the fingers. Its elegant sound is a staple in Japanese classical music.
What is a horn that starts with K?
While not as common as other horns, the kudu horn (or shofar) is a horn, often made from the horn of a kudu antelope. It’s historically significant in Jewish religious ceremonies and is sometimes used in other cultural contexts as well.
Is a kalimba an instrument?
Absolutely! A kalimba is a modern version of the traditional African mbira and is definitely an instrument. Also sometimes called a thumb piano, it has metal tines that you pluck to create a gentle, melodic sound.
What are 72 stringed instruments?
Listing all 72 stringed instruments individually would be pretty extensive! However, some of the major families include various types of guitars, violins, harps, lutes, zithers, dulcimers, and mandolins. Each family contains many variations, easily adding up to (and exceeding) 72 different instruments when you account for regional and historical differences.
Conclusion
From chordophones to aerophones, the instruments beginning with the letter “K” come from many different parts of the world. They have different shapes, sizes, and methods of construction. They also play a meaningful role in the cultures that created them.
By learning about these instruments, we can help preserve their unique musical traditions. It’s also an opportunity to explore the music of other cultures. After all, the more we know about each other, the more connected we become.
So, the letter “K” may not be the most common letter in music, but it certainly introduces us to some fascinating instruments!