A few of the better-known musical instruments beginning with the letter R include the recorder, requinto, rainstick, roman tuba, and rubboard. Below you’ll find a list of instruments whose names start with R, with a short note explaining each one.
- RABAB – A North-African short-necked fiddle that is commonly used in Arabic music.
- RAG DUNG – A brass trumpet played by Tibetans.
- RAINSTICK – A shaker that consists of a long hollow tube that is filled with beans, stones, or gravel.
- RAJÃO – An ancestral stringed instrument of the Hawaiian ukulele.
- RATATAK – A shaker that is from gourd jingles.
- RATTLE – Any type of percussion instrument that produces sound when shaken.
- REBEC – A fiddle from Medieval Europe that is similar to the rabab.
- RECO-RECO – A hollow bamboo or metal scraper that is usually used in Angolan music.
- RECORDER – A European whistle flute that varies in size.
- REDONDO – A drum set that is placed on the ground, allowing the player to sit on it and use a stick or hand to hit and create sound.
- REPINIQUE – A small Brazilian samba drum that produces a metallic sound.
- REQUINTO – A small Spanish clarinet-like instrument.
- RIQ – A tambourine found in the Middle East and North Africa.
- ROLMO – A Tibetan domed cymbal used in rituals.
- ROMAN TUBA – A signal trumpet used in the military.
- RUAN – A Chinese lute that has four strings and a short neck.
- RUBAB – An Asian plucked lute with a short neck, double chambers, and string that is either from the animal gut or metal strings.
- RUBBOARD – A washboard that is used by Cajun and Zydeco artists as percussion instruments.
- RUDRA VEENA – An Indian plucked string instrument.
- RYUTEKI – A Japanese flute.
Conclusion
Instruments beginning with the letter R come from every corner of the globe, and there are plenty of them. Each carries its own distinctive sound and role. Whether you play music yourself or simply enjoy listening, see if you can track down a few of these the next time you get the opportunity.
