World Music Day - 5 iconic instruments that changed the music we listen to

Ever since the first Fête de la Musique, also translated as World Music Day, launched back in year 1982 in Paris, it has come a long way, and is now celebrated all over the world. The World Music Day is held on June 21, the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

Fête de la Musique invites music lovers, and amateur and professional musicians, to celebrate music in all its forms on the streets. 

The Fête de la Musique’s theme this year is viva voce (“de vive voix” in French, meaning: “in lively voice”). The voice may take different forms – tone colors, chords, accents, which evolve through time, geography, and cultures. Looking at the expansion of musicals, singing groups and choirs, karaoke; the voice is the key instrument. 

To celebrate this day, we look at 5 iconic & unique instruments that have changed the music we listen to. 



1. Guitar – One of the most widely known instruments of the chordophone family constructed from wood and strung with nylon or steel strings. There are two broad categories of guitars – acoustic and electric. Acoustic has three categories of its own – the classic which is a nylon stringed guitar, the steel-stringed acoustic guitar and the archtop guitar. The strings vibrate which gets amplified by the wooden body of the guitar. Electric guitars use amplifiers to electronically manipulate and shape the tone of the vibrations. Not only is guitar used in most contemporary music genres from blues and jazz to country and pop to metal and rock, but it is also a popular cultural icon. 

2. Ukulele – This string instrument resembling a guitar, originates from Hawaii. It can also be called a “fun-sized” guitar and the sound is much softer than that of a guitar. This 19th century instrument that gained much popularity after Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s single Over the Rainbow. Even today, ukelele renditions of popular songs are some of the most watched videos on YouTube. 

3. Digeridoo – Digieridoo is an indigenous Australian wind instrument that was developed more than thousand years ago. It measures anywhere between 3 to 10 ft in length and is kept on the floor at an angle when played. The longer the instrument, the lower the key or pitch of it. 

Playing the instrument is traditionally restrcited only to men, however today digeridoo has become somewhat a symbol of avant garde music and social causes. It is often played during civil protests; music band Jamiroquai has performed many songs, exploring the themes of natural and communal harmony, with digeridoo. 

4. Harp – It is a multi-stringed instrument that has strings, which are usually made of nylon, silk or wire, attached to the soundboard in a perpendicular manner. Small harps have stings of the same material while the bigger concert harps have strings of various materials to give a wider range of sound. Various types of harps are found in Africa, Europe, North and South America and in Asia. 

While traditionally harp was played in baroque and classical music, today it is incorporated in jazz, alternative, and even hip-hop (Common’s solo album, Finding Forever, featured harpist Brandee Younger’s work). 

5. Tabla – Tabla is an Indian percussion instrument that in played mostly in Hindustani classical music. It is similar to the congo; it consists of a pair of hand drums of varying pitch and timbres. Dilli Baj and Purbi Baj are the two most iconic gharanas of table. 

Indian tabla player, Zakir Hussain, is perhaps the most celebrated contemporary tabla player, who has played for the Apocalpse Now and Little Buddha soundtracks. 

NDTV