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Musical Instruments

Specialized information on musical instruments for performers and listeners alike

Instruments in Circulation

Education, Music and Media has many instruments available to circulate to Ball State University students, faculty, and staff. While probably not suitable for orchestral or band performance, these instruments can be great tools as you begin to explore instruments and musical cultures other than your own. Browse the list below to get an idea of the instruments which circulate.

Complete list of circulating instruments at OneSearch (search for "cultural objects")

Photos of circulating instruments at BSU Digital Media Repository

Strings to Borrow

Historical Instruments

Lyre:  UDC 2515

American Instruments

Africa

  • ​Akamba (Gourd Harp), Kenya:  UDC 3740
  • Valiha Harp (Bamboo Harp), Madagascar:  UDC 3743

Asia

  • Sanshin / 3-string lute (Japan): UDC 4286
  • Soprano Banjira Ektara (South Asia): UDC 4637

Europe

  • Irish (Folk) Harp, Ireland: UDC 2518
  • Balalaika, Russia:  UDC 4634
  • Horsehead Gusle with bow from Yugoslavia:  UDC 246

Woodwinds to Borrow

Woodwind instruments available from the Education, Music and Media service desk:  

Bamboo Flute (Bangladesh):  UDC 175

Bamboo Flute (Peru): UDC 574

Didgeridoo (Australia):  UDC 4137

Gourd Pipe (Thailand):  UDC 3747  

Large Reed Flute (Bolivia):  UDC 3741

Panflute (Panpipes):  UDC 3223

Renaissance Alto Recorder (Baroque Fingering):  UDC 2302

Small Reed Flute (Bolivia):  UDC 3742

Thai Flute: UDC 3767

Wooden Flute (Bolivia):  UDC 1882

Zurna (Turkey): UDC 570

 

Brass to Borrow

Dragon Horn (Nepal):  UDC 3168

 

Percussion to Borrow

Talking Drum

The following percussion instruments are available for check out from the Education, Music and Media service counter: 

Africa & Middle East

  • Talking Drum (pictured, upper right):  UDC 3162
  • Slit Log Drum: UDC 2749 and UDC 3416
  • ​Axatse (rattle) from West Africa (pictured, right): UDC 3642
  • Mbiras (Thumb Pianos)
    • Small Mbira from Northern Rhodesia: 64.79
    • Larger Mbira (pictured at right):  UDC 3599
    • Thumb Piano (kalimba or mbira): UDC 1422  (includes chart with Western musical notation)
  • Dumbek (Turkish drum):  UDC 3647
  • Gangala bells: UDC 3632
  • Miriam Drum (Israel): UDC 54
  • Camel Bells (Iran): UDC 235

Asia

Latin America

Native American / First Peoples

Europe

Other Instruments