Chordophones

Instruments that create sound via a vibrating string or chord. Sounds can be amplified through a chamber. Ex: Violins, zithers, lutes

Aerophones

Instruments that use air to create sound, such as flutes, horns, and pipes. Vibrating air can be caused by breath or wind.

Membranophones

Instruments using skin or other materials covering an opening, such as a drums.

Idiophones

Most like the earliest of instruments, Idiophones produce sound by the vibrations of a solid object without tension.