The non-percussion Native American instruments are considered melodic due to their ability to create a melody, the main aspect of a song. Native American instruments are divided into four separate categories. One such is idiophones, which produce sound by vibration when struck by, shaken, rubbed, etc. These instruments can appear in many different shapes and sizes with many different materials. This is by far the largest category in Native American culture. Another category is membranophones which are constructed by stretching a membrane or hide over a opening of a frame. It creates its sound when struck/rubbed. Membranophones consist of single-headed drums, double-headed drums, kettle drums, and more. Idiophones and membranophones are percussion instruments. The third category is aerophones, which are flutes and whistles, producing sound when whirled through air or blown. The last is chorophones which include any stringed instrument. In these, one or more stretchable string is attached to a frame of sound box. Melodic instruments include flutes, whistle, strings and more.
Flutes and whistles are wind instruments due to the requirement of moving air for sound to be produced. They are also aerophones. Other wind instruments can be hollow tubes which are spun through the air, creating a sound which changes to the speed it is being spun. Most wind instruments although are blown into and over. This is the case with flutes and whistles. The pitches will change depending on how many of the holes in the hollow wood tube are covered/uncovered by the fingers. Flutes were once extensively used for courtship or healing. These are generally made of cane or wood with cedar having a particular significance. Most whistles are produced with wood, antlers, eagle bones or other animal bones.
Stringed instruments, or chorophones, create different notes by stretching, bending or otherwise altering the stings. This can be done by pressuring the string on different points against a piece of wood, or stretched with hands. Some common string instruments are the Apache and Yaqui violin. The Apache violin (shown right) is single-stringed, made of the stalk of the agave plant. This violin is indigenous to the Apache people. While as the Yaqui violin is similar to European violins. It was played during missions in the 17th century. This instrument originated from the Yaqui tribe. Folk guitars and harps, closely copying early European models, have also been found among Southwestern people
Flutes and whistles are wind instruments due to the requirement of moving air for sound to be produced. They are also aerophones. Other wind instruments can be hollow tubes which are spun through the air, creating a sound which changes to the speed it is being spun. Most wind instruments although are blown into and over. This is the case with flutes and whistles. The pitches will change depending on how many of the holes in the hollow wood tube are covered/uncovered by the fingers. Flutes were once extensively used for courtship or healing. These are generally made of cane or wood with cedar having a particular significance. Most whistles are produced with wood, antlers, eagle bones or other animal bones.
Stringed instruments, or chorophones, create different notes by stretching, bending or otherwise altering the stings. This can be done by pressuring the string on different points against a piece of wood, or stretched with hands. Some common string instruments are the Apache and Yaqui violin. The Apache violin (shown right) is single-stringed, made of the stalk of the agave plant. This violin is indigenous to the Apache people. While as the Yaqui violin is similar to European violins. It was played during missions in the 17th century. This instrument originated from the Yaqui tribe. Folk guitars and harps, closely copying early European models, have also been found among Southwestern people