This list includes 15 Musical instruments that start with N that start with the letter N, from “Nadaswaram” to “Nyckelharpa”. They span wind, string, and percussion families and appear in folk, classical, and ritual music worldwide. You will find them used in performance, teaching, and ceremonies.
Musical instruments that start with N are varied playable items found across many musical traditions worldwide. The Nadaswaram, for example, is a celebrated South Indian double-reed instrument commonly used in temple ceremonies and weddings.
Below you’ll find the table with family, origin, and materials.
Family: Shows the instrument’s family (wind, string, percussion, etc.) so you quickly understand its sound and playing method.
Origin: Gives the country or region and era so you can place the instrument in cultural and historical context.
Materials: Lists primary construction materials to help you assess tone, care needs, and visual appearance at a glance.
Musical instruments that start with N
| Name | Family | Origin | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ney | Aerophone (end-blown flute) | Middle East — ancient | Cane/reed |
| Nohkan | Aerophone (transverse bamboo flute) | Japan — medieval | Bamboo |
| Nadaswaram | Aerophone (double-reed wind) | South India — classical, centuries-old | Wood, reed |
| Naqqara | Membranophone (kettle drums) | Middle East/Central Asia — medieval | Copper/brass shell, animal skin |
| Ngoni | Chordophone (lute, plucked) | West Africa — centuries-old | Wood, skin, gut or synthetic strings |
| Ngoma | Membranophone (drum) | Central/East Africa — traditional | Wood, animal skin |
| Nose flute | Aerophone (end-blown flute) | Pacific Islands/Asia — traditional | Bamboo, wood, gourd |
| Nyatiti | Chordophone (lyre) | Kenya — Luo people, traditional | Wood, gut or nylon strings |
| Nyckelharpa | Chordophone (keyed fiddle) | Sweden — medieval origins, 17th c. form | Wood, horsehair, wooden keys |
| Northumbrian smallpipes | Aerophone (bellows-blown bagpipe) | North East England — 18th c. | Wood, leather bag, metal reeds |
| Native American flute | Aerophone (end-blown flute) | North America — traditional | Wood, bamboo |
| Nagado-daiko | Membranophone (barrel drum) | Japan — Edo period | Wooden shell, animal hide |
| Narsingha | Aerophone (natural horn) | India/Nepal — traditional | Brass |
| Nanhu | Chordophone (fiddle, bowed lute) | China — Guangdong region, Qing era | Wood, horsehair strings |
| Ney-anban | Aerophone (bagpipe) | Iran — traditional | Goat skin bag, reed, wood |