What are Membranophone Instruments? (Classification)

The membranophone instruments They are all those musical instruments in which the sound is the product of the vibration of a tense membrane. The term "membranophone" is composed of two roots: membrane and phono. 

The word "membrane" comes from Latin and means "thin skin like parchment." On the other hand, the word "phono" comes from the Greek "phono" and means "sound or voice".

The membrane is known as a patch. It is usually made from the skin of cattle or other animals, although it can also be made of some synthetic material, as has been done more recently..

The best known membranophone instrument is the drum, being very popular in various cultures around the world. It can have different shapes and sizes, which is why there is a wide variety of drums in the world..

Classification of membranophone instruments

According to their operation, they are classified as: friction, blown and hit..

Friction

They are membranophone instruments in which the membrane generates sound vibration when generally rubbed with the hand, although a string or stick can also be used.

It is made up of a cylinder of wood, clay or ceramic, it has a patch on one of its ends crossed in the center by a rod that can be metallic or wooden.

When the rod is rubbed with both hands, the vibration it produces passes to the head, generating a low sound. Example: The zambomba or the furruco.

Blown

They are membranophone instruments that vibrate thanks to the voice of the performer. It does not produce a characteristic sound, rather they modify the sound of the voice.

The membrane is not very tight and is made of a thin material such as paper or onion skin, located at the ends, when blowing through the hole located in the lid, the membrane vibrates.

For example, the kazoo or kazoo is a tubular instrument with an opening on one side. It emits sound that emulates the voice and sounds only when it is spoken or sung by one of its ends.

Struck

They are instruments in which the sound vibration originates when the membrane that covers them is hit directly. Either with the hand, drumsticks or chopsticks. Example: the timpani, the drum, the batá drums, the bongoes, among others.

Percussion membranophone instrument classes

From a mouth

Composed of a low height wooden or metal arch, in which the membrane is stretched. It is generally struck but can also be rubbed or shaken. Example: the tambourine or the tambourine.

Of two mouths

Formed by a cylinder, generally made of wood, which has a membrane at both ends. For example the drums.

Hemispherical

Formed by a hemispherical box, generally bathed by some type of metal. The spherical bottom has a small hole for air pressure to escape.

The membrane is placed on the flat side of the box and is generally made of synthetic material, fixed by fences and iron screws on the edges..

They are placed on tripods with metal or wooden rings and drumsticks are used to strike it. For example the timpani.

References

1. Blasco Vercher, F., & Sanjosé Huguet, V. (1994). The musical instruments. Valencia: University of Valencia.
2. Hoffer, C. (2009). Music Listening Today. Cengage Learning.
3. Rodriguez Blanco, A. (2015). Music I English Project. Madrid: Editorial Editex S. A.
4. Serrano Vida, M., & Gil Corral, J. (2003). Music. Volume III. Seville: MAD-Eduforma.
5. Sfetcu, N. (2014). The Music Sound.