Here you’ll find 13 Musical instruments that start with U, organized from “Udu” to “Utriculus”. They include common folk instruments and unusual historical or regional types used in traditional music.
Musical instruments that start with U are named instruments and playable devices whose common names begin with the letter U. Notable examples include the West African “Udu” clay drum and the rare Latin-named “Utriculus”.
Below you’ll find the table with Family, Origin, and Materials.
Family: Shows the instrument’s broad family (strings, percussion, wind) so you quickly see its playing category.
Origin: Gives the country or region and era so you understand cultural background and historical context at a glance.
Materials: Lists primary construction materials and finishes so you can compare tone, durability, and craftsmanship easily.
Musical instruments that start with U
| Name | Family | Origin | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukulele | Plucked Lute (Chordophone) | Hawaii, USA, late 19th century | Wood (koa, mahogany), nylon strings |
| Udu | Plucked Drum (Idiophone/Aerophone) | Nigeria (Igbo people) | Clay, water |
| Uilleann pipes | Bagpipes (Aerophone) | Ireland, circa 18th century | Wood, leather, reeds, metal keys |
| Upright Bass | String Instrument (Viol family) | Europe, 16th century (as Double Bass) | Wood (spruce, maple), metal strings |
| Upright Piano | Keyboard (Stringed Percussion) | London, England, late 18th century | Wood, cast iron frame, steel strings, felt hammers |
| Uhadi | Musical Bow (Chordophone) | South Africa (Xhosa people) | Wood, wire/gut string, gourd resonator |
| Urumi | Hourglass Drum (Membranophone) | Tamil Nadu, India | Wood, leather drumheads, rope |
| Uliuli | Rattle (Idiophone) | Hawaii, USA | Gourd, seeds, feathers, tapa cloth |
| Umrhubhe | Mouth Bow (Chordophone) | South Africa (Xhosa people) | Wood, wire/gut string |
| Ugal | Gong-chime (Idiophone) | Bali, Indonesia | Bronze, wood, bamboo |
| Ugene | Pot Drum (Idiophone/Aerophone) | Nigeria (Igbo people) | Clay |
| Utriculus | Bagpipes (Aerophone) | Ancient Rome | Animal skin bag, reeds, wood pipes |
| Ukkari | Frame Drum (Membranophone) | Karnataka, India | Wood frame, animal skin |
Descriptions
Ukulele
A small, four-stringed guitar-like instrument known for its bright, cheerful tone. A staple of Hawaiian music, it became popular worldwide for its portability and accessible sound.
Udu
A vase-shaped clay pot drum played by hand. It produces a unique, deep, water-like bass sound when the side hole is struck, with other percussive tones on its body.
Uilleann pipes
The national bagpipe of Ireland, known for its sweet, quiet tone. It is powered by a bellows under the arm, not by blowing, allowing for a wider, more complex range of notes.
Upright Bass
The largest, lowest-pitched member of the orchestral string family. Also called the double bass, it’s a cornerstone of jazz, bluegrass, and classical music, played plucked or with a bow.
Upright Piano
A popular type of piano where the frame and strings are vertical. Its compact design made it a fixture in homes, schools, and small venues for practice and performance.
Uhadi
A large, unbraced musical bow. The player holds a gourd resonator against their chest to amplify the sound, using it to create subtle harmonic overtones while striking the string.
Urumi
A double-headed hourglass-shaped drum from South India. The player changes the pitch by squeezing the ropes that connect the two heads, creating a “talking” effect.
Uliuli
A Hawaiian gourd rattle used in traditional hula dancing. It is filled with seeds and decorated with a vibrant circle of feathers, creating both a percussive sound and a visual spectacle.
Umrhubhe
A South African mouth-resonated musical bow. The player places one end of the unbraced bow in their mouth, using their oral cavity to amplify harmonics created by striking the string.
Ugal
A Balinese metallophone with 10 bronze keys suspended over bamboo resonators. It is a leading instrument in the Gamelan Gong Kebyar ensemble, typically playing the core melody.
Ugene
A pair of clay pot drums, similar to the Udu but typically played as a set. The two pots have different pitches, allowing the player to create simple melodic rhythms.
Utriculus
An ancient Roman bagpipe, mentioned in historical texts by authors like Suetonius. It consisted of a bag (the ‘utriculus’) and pipes, including a chanter for melody and a drone.
Ukkari
A small, circular frame drum from the Karnataka region of India, often used in folk and devotional music. It is held in one hand and struck with the fingers of the other.