History of Instruments

By rets5
  • Neanderthal flute
    40,000 BCE

    Neanderthal flute

    The Neanderthal flute is the oldest known instrument and was carbon dated to be more than 40,000 years old! Source
  • The drum
    6000 BCE

    The drum

    The earliest known drum dates back to 6000 BC, and was found in Moravia. Source
  • Invention of the harp
    3000 BCE

    Invention of the harp

    Harps are believed to be invented around 5000 years ago, and where used across the mediterranean and middle east. Source
  • Invention of the organ
    265 BCE

    Invention of the organ

    The first organ was invented around 265 BC, by a greek man named Ctesibius Source
  • Invention of the guitar
    1510

    Invention of the guitar

    Experts believe the guitar was invented in the early 16th century. Source
  • The xylophone
    1511

    The xylophone

    The xylophone was first mentioned in 1511 in Europe, although historians believe it originated in Southeast Asia or Oceana. Source
  • The harpsichord
    1550

    The harpsichord

    The harpsichord, which is regarded as the predecessor to the piano, has a complicated history. Not much is known about the invention of the harpsichord, but the earliest surviving harpsichord dates back to the 16th Century Italy.
  • Invention of the piano

    Invention of the piano

    the piano is said to be invented around 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Source
  • The electric gitaur

    The electric gitaur

    In the early 1930's the first electric guitar was invented by George Beauchamp, with the help of Adolph Rickenbacker. Now, the electric guitar is used all around the world and is featured in all kinds of genres of music. Source
  • The synthesizer

    The synthesizer

    The synthesizer was created in 1955 at the Radio Corporation of America laboratories in Princeton, NJ by Harry Olson and Herbert Belar. Source