The world of musical instruments is vast and varied. Across cultures and genres, instruments take on countless forms, each offering unique sounds and playing experiences.
This article explores musical instruments that start with the letter “K,” ranging from stringed instruments to wind instruments and percussive instruments. We’ll look at their origins and how they’re used in different musical traditions. We’ll also touch on the basic ways to categorize musical instruments, such as chordophones (stringed instruments), aerophones (wind instruments), idiophones (instruments that create sound through vibration), and membranophones (instruments with a vibrating membrane).
Stringed Instruments That Start With “K”
You might be surprised at how many stringed instruments start with the letter “K.” Here are a few:
Kantele
The kantele is a traditional Finnish stringed instrument related to the zither. It looks a bit like a wooden plank with strings stretched across it, and it’s been a part of Finnish culture for centuries.
The kantele’s strings are usually made of steel or brass, and the body is typically made of wood. You play it by plucking the strings, which creates a bright, clear sound that’s often used in Finnish folk music.
Kamancha (Kamancheh, Kemenche)
The kamancha is a bowed string instrument used in Persian, Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Turkish music. It’s constructed a bit like a violin, but it has a long neck and a spike at the bottom that rests on the floor when you play it.
Players use a bow to create sound, and different tunings are used in different regions. The kamancha is an important instrument in classical and folk music traditions.
Kobza
The kobza is a Ukrainian multi-stringed instrument related to the lute. It has a distinctive rounded body and a short neck. The strings are plucked or strummed to produce sound, and the kobza has long been a part of Ukrainian folk music and storytelling.
Kora
The kora is a long-necked harp lute from West Africa. It’s made with a large gourd resonator and has numerous strings. The strings are plucked to create complex melodies, and the kora is an important instrument in Mandinka culture and is often played by griots, or storytellers.
Koto
The koto is a Japanese long zither with movable bridges. It has a long, rectangular body and a number of strings. The strings are plucked with plectrums to produce sound, and the koto is an important instrument in traditional Japanese music, often associated with elegance.
Wind Instruments Starting with “K”
The “K” family of wind instruments includes flutes and reed instruments from all over the world. Here are a few examples:
Kaval
The kaval is an end-blown flute that has been played for centuries in the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East. Kavals are typically made of wood, but some are crafted from bone, horn, or metal. To play the kaval, a musician blows air across the edge of the flute, producing a haunting sound that’s an integral part of folk music and dance in the region.
Kagurabue
The kagurabue is a Japanese flute used in Shinto ritual music. The flute itself is made of bamboo and has a simple, elegant design. Its sounds are an essential element in Shinto religious ceremonies.
Kalaleng
The kalaleng is a nose flute from the Philippines, played by the Kalinga people. To play this unique flute, air is blown through one nostril. The kalaleng holds a special place in Kalinga culture and traditional music.
Khene
The khene is a free-reed mouth organ found in Laos and Thailand. It’s constructed from bamboo pipes connected to a windchest. Players blow air into the windchest and use their fingers to manipulate holes that control the reeds. The khene is an important instrument in Lao and Thai folk music and ceremonies.
Khloy (and Khlui)
Khloy (or Khlui, which is the Thai spelling) is the generic name for vertical flutes from Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. These flutes are typically made of bamboo, wood, or plastic. To produce sound, the player blows air across a hole near the top of the flute. The khloy plays a significant role in both folk and classical music traditions of the region.
Percussion Instruments Starting with “K”
Turns out, there are a lot of cool percussion instruments that start with the letter “K.” Here are a few:
Kanjira
The kanjira is a frame drum from South India. It’s made with snakeskin or lizard skin stretched across a circular frame. Players hold it with one hand and strike the drumhead with the other.
This drum is an important part of Carnatic music ensembles.
Kakko
The kakko is a small Japanese drum used in gagaku, the ancient court music of Japan. The drum is constructed of wood and has two heads. It’s suspended from a stand, and musicians strike the drumheads with sticks.
Kayamb
The kayamb is a flat, rectangular percussion instrument found in Madagascar and Reunion. It’s constructed with reeds or seeds inside a frame. To play it, you shake the instrument or strike it so the reeds or seeds rattle around. It’s used in traditional music and dance.
Kebero
The kebero is a large, double-headed drum used in Ethiopian Orthodox Christian religious music. The drum is made of wood and animal skin, and it’s played with the hands. It’s an important part of religious ceremonies in Ethiopia.
Khol (Mrdanga)
The khol, also known as mrdanga, is a two-sided barrel drum from the Indian subcontinent. It’s often used in devotional music. The drum is made of clay, and it’s played with the hands. It accompanies religious ceremonies and celebrations.
Other Instruments Starting with “K”
While the keyboard and the kitara are probably the best-known “K” instruments, there are several others you might not have heard of. Here are a few:
Kazoo
The kazoo is a simple American instrument that modifies the player’s voice. It’s made of plastic or metal, and it has a small hole covered with a membrane. To play the kazoo, you hold it to your mouth and hum. The kazoo membrane vibrates and amplifies your voice, giving it a buzzing, comical sound. Kazoos are popular in folk music, jug bands, and novelty songs.
Komuz
The komuz is a plucked string instrument from Kyrgyzstan. The body of the instrument is carved from a single piece of wood, and it has three strings. The komuz is a historically important instrument in Kyrgyz culture, used to accompany storytelling and singing.
Kouxian (Jaw Harp)
The kouxian, also known as a jaw harp, is a small instrument played throughout Asia. It’s made of a metal frame with a metal tongue in the middle. To play it, you hold the frame against your teeth and pluck the metal tongue. The shape of your mouth acts as a resonator, changing the sound.
Kulintang
The kulintang is a musical instrument composed of a row of small, horizontally laid gongs. The gongs are made of bronze or brass and are tuned to different pitches. The kulintang is played with two beaters, and it’s an important part of the music of the southern Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Kuzhal
The kuzhal is a double-reed wind instrument used in the Carnatic music of south India. It’s made of wood, and it has a cylindrical bore. The kuzhal is played by blowing into the double reed and using your fingers to cover the holes in the instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a horn that starts with K?
While not technically a “horn,” the kazoos is probably what you’re thinking of. It’s a simple, inexpensive instrument that adds a buzzing, reedy timbre to your voice when you hum into it. It’s more of a novelty item than a serious musical instrument, but it sure is fun!
What is a musical term that starts with K?
There aren’t a ton of common musical terms that start with “K,” but Klangfarbenmelodie is one you might come across in academic settings. It’s a German term (meaning “sound-color melody”) that describes a musical technique where a melodic line is distributed among different instruments, creating a constantly shifting timbre.
What is the Japanese musical instrument K?
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, similar to a zither. It typically has 13 strings stretched over movable bridges, allowing for tuning. The koto produces a beautiful, ethereal sound and is a staple in Japanese classical music.
What is the drum that starts with K?
The kpanlogo is a type of drum originating from Ghana. It’s a goblet-shaped drum typically played with the hands. Kpanlogo drums are often used in ensembles and are associated with a specific style of Ghanaian music and dance of the same name.
Conclusion
From the Japanese koto to the Kazakh kobyz, the instruments that begin with the letter “K” are a diverse bunch. They come from different corners of the world, represent a wide range of musical styles, and hold deep cultural significance for the people who play them.
Exploring these “K” instruments is just the beginning. The world of music is vast and varied, and there’s always something new to discover. I hope this article has inspired you to learn more about the musical traditions of different cultures.
The instruments that begin with “K” are a testament to the power of music to connect us to our past, our present, and each other.