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Instrument Explorer

Global and Contemporary

Oud

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Varies with the tuning
Its role
Fretless lute central to Arabic, Turkish and related maqam traditions.
Technique
Plectrum technique and microtonal intonation.
Practice
Study maqam phrasing with a teacher from the tradition.

Kora

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Varies with the instrument and the tuning
Its role
West African harp-lute with interlocking patterns.
Technique
Plucked with thumbs and index fingers.
Practice
Coordinate the repeating accompaniment with the melody.

Steelpan

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Varies with the type of pan
Its role
Tuned steel drums from Trinidad and Tobago.
Technique
Mallet technique and rolls.
Practice
Draw an even tone from every note area.

Duduk

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Depends on the size and tuning
Its role
Armenian double-reed instrument with a warm, veiled tone.
Technique
Reed control, breath and ornamentation.
Practice
Develop a stable tone and idiomatic phrasing.

Bandoneon

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Varies with the button system
Its role
Free-reed instrument at the heart of tango.
Technique
Push-pull button layouts and bellows.
Practice
Coordinate phrasing with bellows direction.

Digital audio workstation

Family
Global and Contemporary
Range
Depends on the software
Its role
Recording, editing, arranging and mixing.
Technique
MIDI, audio tracks and automation.
Practice
Keep performance fixes separate from mixing decisions.

Other chapters: Strings · Woodwinds · Brass · Keyboard · Percussion · Voice

Ranges are a guide. They vary with the player, the instrument and the style, and a voice type is never decided from a range chart alone. Ranges are given in sounding pitch unless the entry says otherwise.

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