This page covers Spanish words for musical instruments grouped into common categories, providing English equivalents and examples to guide your learning.
String Instruments
String instruments are played by plucking, strumming, or bowing the strings. They are popular in many music genres around the world.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| guitarra | guitarras | guitar | guitars | Toco la guitarra en mi tiempo libre. | I play the guitar in my free time. |
| violín | violines | violin | violins | El violín es un instrumento muy expresivo. | The violin is a very expressive instrument. |
| violonchelo | violonchelos | cello | cellos | El violonchelo tiene un sonido profundo. | The cello has a deep sound. |
| bajo | bajos | bass | basses | El bajo marca el ritmo en la banda. | The bass sets the rhythm in the band. |
| arpa | arpas | harp | harps | El arpa es un instrumento antiguo y bello. | The harp is an ancient and beautiful instrument. |
| contrabajo | contrabajos | double bass | double basses | El contrabajo es el más grande de los instrumentos de cuerda. | The double bass is the largest string instrument. |
Wind Instruments
Wind instruments produce sound by the vibration of air inside the instrument. They can be made of wood, metal, or other materials.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| flauta | flautas | flute | flutes | La flauta es un instrumento de viento muy popular. | The flute is a very popular wind instrument. |
| clarinete | clarinetes | clarinet | clarinets | El clarinete tiene un sonido suave y dulce. | The clarinet has a soft and sweet sound. |
| saxofón | saxofones | saxophone | saxophones | El saxofón es común en el jazz. | The saxophone is common in jazz. |
| trompeta | trompetas | trumpet | trumpets | La trompeta suena fuerte y brillante. | The trumpet sounds loud and bright. |
| trombón | trombones | trombone | trombones | El trombón tiene un sonido potente y profundo. | The trombone has a powerful and deep sound. |
| órgano | órganos | organ | organs | El órgano se escucha en las iglesias. | The organ is heard in churches. |
| oboe | oboes | oboe | oboes | El oboe tiene un sonido nasal y expresivo. | The oboe has a nasal and expressive sound. |
| fagot | fagotes | bassoon | bassoons | El fagot es un instrumento de viento madera grave. | The bassoon is a low-pitched woodwind instrument. |
Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped. They provide rhythm and texture to music.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tambor | tambores | drum | drums | El tambor marca el ritmo de la canción. | The drum sets the rhythm of the song. |
| batería | baterías | drum set | drum sets | La batería es fundamental en el rock. | The drum set is essential in rock. |
| caja | cajas | snare drum | snare drums | La caja tiene un sonido agudo y fuerte. | The snare drum has a sharp and strong sound. |
| platillo | platillos | cymbal | cymbals | Los platillos suenan en los momentos intensos. | The cymbals sound at intense moments. |
| xilófono | xilófonos | xylophone | xylophones | El xilófono tiene un sonido brillante y alegre. | The xylophone has a bright and cheerful sound. |
| maracas | maracas | maraca | maracas | Las maracas se usan en la música latina. | The maracas are used in Latin music. |
| castañuelas | castañuelas | castanet | castanets | Las castañuelas son típicas del flamenco. | The castanets are typical of flamenco. |
| gong | gongs | gong | gongs | El gong se utiliza en música tradicional asiática. | The gong is used in traditional Asian music. |
The cymbals sound at intense moments.
Los platillos suenan en los momentos intensos.
'Platillos' means 'cymbals,' which are often played at climactic points in music.
The castanets are typical of flamenco.
Las castañuelas son típicas del flamenco.
'Castañuelas' (castanets) are traditional percussion instruments in flamenco dance and music.
Keyboard Instruments
Keyboard instruments are played by pressing keys that produce sound through strings, air, or electronic means.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| piano | pianos | piano | pianos | Toco el piano desde los seis años. | I have played the piano since I was six. |
| teclado | teclados | keyboard | keyboards | El teclado tiene sonidos electrónicos. | The keyboard has electronic sounds. |
| órgano | órganos | organ | organs | El órgano se escucha en conciertos y iglesias. | The organ is heard in concerts and churches. |
Other Instruments
This category includes instruments that don't fit neatly into the others but are still important in various musical traditions.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acordeón | acordeones | accordion | accordions | El acordeón es popular en la música folclórica. | The accordion is popular in folk music. |
| ukelele | ukeleles | ukulele | ukuleles | El ukelele es un instrumento pequeño de Hawái. | The ukulele is a small instrument from Hawaii. |
| banjo | banjos | banjo | banjos | El banjo se usa en la música country. | The banjo is used in country music. |
| armónica | armónicas | harmonica | harmonicas | La armónica es fácil de llevar a todas partes. | The harmonica is easy to carry everywhere. |
Useful Phrases
Here are some common phrases to help you talk about instruments in Spanish.
| Spanish Phrase | English Phrase |
|---|---|
| ¿Qué instrumento tocas? | What instrument do you play? |
| Toco la guitarra y el piano. | I play the guitar and the piano. |
| ¿Puedes tocar algún instrumento? | Can you play any instrument? |
| Estoy aprendiendo a tocar el violín. | I am learning to play the violin. |
| Mi instrumento favorito es la batería. | My favorite instrument is the drum set. |
By studying these categories, you can confidently name and discuss a wide variety of musical instruments in Spanish.
Can you play any instrument?
¿Puedes tocar algún instrumento?
The question '¿Puedes tocar algún instrumento?' correctly uses 'puedes' (can you) and 'tocar' (play).
I am learning to play the violin.
Estoy aprendiendo a tocar el violín.
The phrase uses the present continuous 'Estoy aprendiendo a tocar' followed by 'el violín' (the violin).
Flashcards (1 of 34)
- English Singular: guitar
- English Plural: guitars
- English Example: I play the guitar in my free time.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
