Arabic musical instruments

Arabic musical instruments can be broadly classified into three categories: string instruments (chordophones), wind instruments (aerophones), and percussion instruments. They evolved from ancient civilizations in the region.

Chordophones

Plucked lutes

Zithers

Bowed lutes

Lyres

Aerophones

Flutes

Reed instruments

  • Mizmar
  • Khalul (Gulfian Mizmar)
  • Ghayta
  • Arghul
  • Zumarah bi suwan
  • Maqrunah
  • Mijwiz
  • Haban (Gulfian Bagpipe)
  • Jirbah (East Tunisian Bagpipe)
  • Mizwad (West Tunisian Bagpipe)
  • Zughra (Moroccan Bagpipe)
  • Saksifun (Arabic Saxophone)

Trumpets

Percussion instruments

Drums and frame drums

  • Riq
  • Daf
  • Bendir
  • Dumbaki
  • Duhulah
  • Drinjah
  • Bass Drinjah
  • Khishbah
  • Kasurah
  • Tabl Tsjikangha
  • Tabl Masanduw
  • Tabl Bib
  • Taarija
  • Tar
  • Tar Barashim (Shake Tar)
  • Tar Mirjaf (Low Tar)
  • Tar Saghul (High Tar)
  • Katim
  • Mirwas
  • Zir (Naqarah)
  • Qas'ah
  • Tbilat
  • Tabl Bahri (Khamari & Laauwb)
  • Tabl Hajir (Khamari & Laauwb)
  • Tabl Nasayfi (Khamari & Laauwb)
  • Al Ras
  • Mazhar

Other percussion

  • Shakhshikhah (Sistrum)
  • Sajat
  • Turah (Egyptian Sajat)
  • Twaysat (Gulf Sajat)
  • Krakebs
  • Hawan
  • Yahalah/Jahalah (Clay jug)
  • Manjur
  • Mihbaj
  • Maalaqa
  • Safqa (Arabic hand clap)