Although the Greeks had many instruments, there were three popular ones.
The kithara (or cithara) - a plucked string instrument.
The lyre - a string instrument (part of the lute family). Also known as the 'yoke lute'.
The aulos - a double-reed instrument.
Others included:
The Barbiton | Stringed instrument. |
The Chelys | Stringed instrument - lyre with a tortoiseshell - shaped wood back. |
The Crotalum | Clapper/Castanet used in religious dances. |
The Epigonion | Stringed instrument, possibly a type of harp. Most likely a psaltery. |
The Harp | Stringed, plucked instrument. |
The Kanonaki | Stringed instrument played solo or in a group. Also known as the 'kanoon', 'ganoun', 'quanun' and 'kanun'. |
The Syrinx (Pan Flute) | Instrument consisting of many pipes increasing in length. Often made from bamboo, giant cane, or local reeds. |
The Pandura | Stringed instrument. |
The Phorminx | Cresent-shaped sound box with 2 - 7 strings. One of the oldest Ancient Greek musical instruments. |
The Roptron | A 'buzzing' drum with a terrifying sound. Most accounts say it was a mix of animal noises and storms. Fun fact: the Parthians used it to scare their opponents in battle. |
The Sambuca | Stringed instrument. |
The Salphinx | Resembled something like a trumpet. |
The Sistrum | A brass or bronze percussion instrument with a handle and u-shaped metal frame. When shaken, can produce a sound of a soft clank to that of a loud jangling. |
The Psaltery | A fretboard - less box (mostly trapezoidal). Considered as the inspiration for the harp, harpsichord and clavichord. |
The tambourine | A percussion instrument with a frame (wood or plastic) and metal jingles (zills). |
The trigonon | A small triangular harp. |
The Hydraulis (water organ) | A type of pipe organ blown by air. The power source is derived by water from a natural source (sometimes by a manual pump). |
Some of these instruments still exist in a very similar form, whereas others are unique and have been lost over time.
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