What instruments did the Egyptians have?

Answer 1

There were many instruments that the ancient Egyptians used. They were separated in three main groups: string, percussion, and wind. One of the string instruments was called the lute.

It is a string instrument that was widely used by ancient Egyptians. It was used in the Middle Kingdom, and sounds a lot like a banjo. Another string instrument is called a kinnor. The kinnor is the first musical instrument in Egypt. It is like a harp but smaller, so you can hold it with your hand. They also used harps in ancient Egypt. One more ancient string instrument used was called the lyre. Although the lyre make look like a harp, and sound like the harp, it is not exactly played like the harp. It is usually strummed, like a guitar or Ukulele, not plucked, like a harp. There were also many percussion instruments such as hand-held drums, rattles, and bells. One percussion instrument was called the sistrum. This insrument was sacred to the goddess Hathor. The sistrum was called shesheset by the ancient Egyptians and was a favored instrument in ancient Egypt. Another percussion instrument was the castanet. Castanets found in ancient Egypt were made from bone or ivory. Some wind instruments were flutes and trumpets. Also, clapping with human hands was done a lot.

Answer 2

Lute

This lute is a plucked string instrument with a half-pear-shaped body consisting of a small oblong sound box, or resonator, and a long neck.

Musical Instruments Child's Musical Instrument

This rattle is made of wood. Once a symbol of the gods, it is now a popular children's musical instrument.

Musical Instruments Cylindrical Musical Instrument

A musical instrument that is almost cylindrical and is composed of two parts, each of which is hollow. It has a short handle, as big as the palm of the hand.

Musical Instruments Double-Headed Hathor Sistrum

The sistrum was one of the important instruments and amulets that accompanied the deceased in the hereafter. It was a symbol of the goddess Hathor. This sistrum amulet, in the shape of a miniature column, is one of the finest examples made of faience so far found in Egypt. The handle is surmounted by double heads of the goddess Hathor who has an almost human face, but cow's ears.

Musical Instruments Hollow Ball Type of Musical Instrument

The wooden musical instrument is made of two concave parts that form a hollow ball with a grip when closed. Inside the ball are small pieces of a solid material, which give a musical sound when shaken.

Musical Instruments Musical Instrument

This wooden musical instrument is in two parts. The main part is a kind of long curved stick to which strings might be attached. The second element of the instrument is a rounded wooden bow, that was used to make music on the strings.

Musical Instruments One Pair of Castanets

One pair of castanets, or musical instruments, made of ivory and in the shape of human hands, depicts bearded Asiatics.

Musical Instruments Pair of Castanets

This pair of castanets is shaped like human arms wearing bracelets. They are inscribed with the names of Queen Tiye and Princess Meritaten, who was Tutankhamun's sister-in-law.

Musical Instruments Pair of Cymbals

The model of these cymbals is visibly different from other models. The rims of these cymbals are relatively larger and the central calotte is less convex than that of other instruments, which is the reason they produce a muffled sound.

Musical Instruments Pair of Cymbals with Concentric Circles

The role of the sound of the cymbals used in Egyptian temples was to please the gods and to repel evil spirits. The rims of the cymbals are relatively large in comparison with the central calotte. The external surface is decorated with many concentric circles, while the internal surface is undecorated.

Musical Instruments Sistrum with The Dwarf God Bes

A large and richly decorated sistrum. The traditional and principal decoration is the double head of the goddess Hathor surmounted by an arch. On each side of the head of Hathor is a uraeus; one wears the crown of Upper Egypt and the other the crown of Lower Egypt. The handle of the sistrum is decorated with a representation of the dwarf god Bes, god of joy.

Musical Instruments Sistrum with a Double-Headed Hathor

The sistrum is a small one, decorated with a double head of the goddess Hathor surmounted by an arch. Each side of the head is decorated with a uraeus. In Egyptian temples, the priestesses held the sistra and shook them to produce musical sounds that would please the gods, in line with Egyptian beliefs.

Musical Instruments Skin of a Tambourine

The tambourine is decorated with musical scenes and with an engraved inscription: "Isis the Mistress of the Sky."

Musical Instruments Square-Based Bell

The bell has a square base and four faces, in the shape of the top of an obelisk. It has a small handle, by which it could be suspended, and a clapper. The bell was considered in Ancient Egypt to be an idiophone musical instrument and were particularly associated with worship in the temples.

Musical Instruments Stringed Musical Instrument

Stringed musical instrument found with no string on it. This instrument resembles the guitar yet it has no wooden machine heads that are used to tie up the strings.

Musical Instruments Three Music Instruments

Three musical instruments made of bronze, two are in the form of disks, while the third was used as a percussion instrument to give the rhythm for dancing. The two disks are decorated by geometrical designs while the third piece is devoid of decoration.

Musical Instruments Toy or Musical Instrument

The musical instrument or children's toy consists of a rectangular carved piece of wood with a hollowed and decorated handle.

Musical Instruments Tutankhamun's Trumpet

Tutankhamun's trumpet is one of three known trumpets preserved from ancient Egypt. It is made of metal sheets covered with gold.

Musical Instruments Two Rattles

The rattles are made from a bundle of very fine sticks of plaited rush tied with a spiral string. All the sticks have hollow balls on the upper end, which contain objects that make a noise when they are shaken.

Musical Instruments Wooden Musical Instrument

This musical instrument for children is made of two small pieces of wood suspended on cords from a long handle.