Speech Surrogates

Acoustic Database

Instrument Database

A curated collection of musical instruments used as speech surrogates across languages and cultures.

244 instruments found

LanguageRegionFamilyInstrument TypeInstrument Name
—MarginalOther—Untitled
'Are'areMalaita Island, Solomon IslandsAerophoneConchConch, 'U'u
'Are'areSolomon IslandsIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit drum, slit log, slit-log, 'o'o
AariEthiopiaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
Abu' ArapeshMatapau, Karasin, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaAerophoneConchAluh
Abu' ArapeshMatapau, Karasin, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumWamuta
Abu' ArapeshMatapau, Karasin, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaAerophoneBamboo TrumpetWandihil
Abu' ArapeshPapua New GuineaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling, whistled speech, wahuʔ
AchéParaguayAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
AkanGhanaMembranophoneDrum pairatumpan
AlamblakAngoram District, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumNrwit
AmharicEthiopiaChordophoneFiddlemasenqo, fiddle
AmisRuisui, Ruisui Township, Hualien County, TaiwanIdiophone (plucked)Jaw harpTiftif, toftof, datok
AnaanAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden GongNtakọ́rọ́k
AnaanAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden Slit DrumÀwòlóm
AnaanAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Large Wooden Slit DrumÈkà-iwid
AnaanAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Iron GongŊkwòng
AnaanAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Bead-Covered GourdǸsák
ArabicMoroccoChordophoneLuteginbri, txabia
AshéninkaPeruAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
AtayalTaiwanIdiophoneJaw harpJaw harp
BafiaCameroonAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
BainukSenegalAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
BakaGbadolite, Democratic Republic of the CongoAnatomicalYellYell
BalantaGuinea-BissauIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, bombalom
BaluanBaluan Island, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-log drumslit-log drum, garamut
Banda LindaCentral African RepublicIdiophoneDrum pairslit-log drum pair, lenga, ako-lenga, eyi-lenga
BasqueSpain,FranceIdiophoneTxalapartaTxalaparta, kirkoketa
BassaLiberiaMembranophoneTension drumtension drum, talking drum, dundun
BauleIvory CoastIdiophoneBellBell trio
BauroSolomon IslandsIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, tamtam
BenchEthiopiaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Bench
BijagoBijago Islands, Guinea-BissauMembranophoneSingle-headed membrane drumlong drum, long-drum
BijagoGuinea-BissauIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, slit log
BiriforBurkina FasoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
BiriforBurkina Faso,GhanaIdiophoneXylophonexylophone, gyil
BoboBurkina FasoMembranophoneDrum pairdrum pair, timboua, timboua bè, timboua na
BoraColombiaIdiophoneDrum pairmanguaré, slit-log drum pair
BororóBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
BuamuBurkina FasoOther—whistling
BuraBorno State, Biu Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneFlute-Like InstrumentAlkaida
BuraBorno State, Biu Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneGoat or Cow Skin DrumGanjou
BuraBorno State, Biu Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden DrumTsniza
BuraBorno State, Biu Local Government Area, NigeriaChordophone (plucked)Harp-Like InstrumentYakandi
BéarnaisFranceAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
ChepangNepalAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
DagbaniGhanaMembranophoneTension drumtalking drum, damba
DualaCameroonIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
EbiraKogi State, Bassa Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Metal Pot DrumAnuva
EbiraKogi State, Bassa Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Gourd Rattle with Cowry ShellsIchekene
EbiraKogi State, Bassa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneAnimal Horn TrumptIkankanchi
EbiraKogi State, Bassa Local Government Area, NigeriaAnatomicalWhistleUwere
EfikCross River State, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Double bellDouble bell, double gong, àkánkáng
EggonAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneFruit Shell FluteAsharwa
EggonAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden XylophoneGbe'ne
EggonAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Gourd Struck on BodyShantu
EwondoYaoundé, CameroonIdiophone (struck)Slit-log drumNkul
EwondoCameroonAnatomicalYellyell, ekiga
ÈʋeGhanaOther—drum
ÈʋeGhanaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
Falam ChinMyanmarOtherDiscrete pitchslit-log drum trio, "gong xylophone","Idiophone (struck)
FangRepublic of the CongoIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, nkou
FangGabonIdiophoneXylophonexylophone, mendjang
FanteGhanaAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet, mmen, mmensuon, sɛsɛ
FolopaPapua New GuineaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
FonBeninMembranophone—pot drum
GaviãoBrazilAerophoneClarinetClarinet trio, totoráp
GaviãoBrazilChordophoneMusical bowMusical bow, mouth bow, iridináp
GaviãoPará, BrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Whistle
GaviãoBrazilAerophoneFluteflute, kotiráp
GbagyiNiger State, Suleja Local Government Area, NigeriaChordophone (bowed)Single-String ViolinGoge
GbagyiNiger State, Suleja Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneLong Metal TrumpetKakaki
GbagyiNiger State, Suleja Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneHour-glass Shaped Tension DrumKalangu
GreekGreeceAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
GunBeninMembranophonePot drumdrum
HadzaLake Eyasi, TanzaniaAnatomicalWhistlingWhistling
HausaNigeriaMembranophoneDouble-headed drumDouble-headed drum, gàngaan noomaa
HausaNigeriaAerophoneTrumpetTrumpet, kakaki, kàakàakii
HausaNigeriaIdiophoneDouble belldouble bell, double gong
HausaNigeriaChordophoneFiddlefiddle, goge
HausaNigeriaMembranophoneTension drumtension drum, talking drum, kalùngùu
HausaNigeriaChordophoneLutetwo-string lute
HindiIndiaMembranophoneTablatabla, pakhavaj, paran, bol paran
HmongChina,Vietnam,Myanmar,Laos,ThailandAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Whistling
HmongChina,Laos,Vietnam,Thailand,MyanmarChordophoneFiddlefiddle, spike fiddle, xim xaus, nkauj paus ncas
HmongThailand,Laos,Myanmar,China,VietnamAerophoneFluteflute, pipe, raj
HmongThailand,Myanmar,China,Laos,VietnamIdiophoneJaw harpjaw harp, ncas
HmongChina,Thailand,Laos,Vietnam,MyanmarAerophoneFree-reed mouth organqeej, free-reed mouth organ
HuliPapua New GuineaIdiophoneJaw harpjaw harp, híriyùla
HuliPapua New GuineaChordophoneMusical bowplucked musical bow, gáwa
IbibioNigeriaIdiophoneXylophonexylophone, Ikon, Ikon Eto
IdomaSouthern Benue State, NigeriaMembranophoneCylindrical DrumCylindrical Drum
IdomaNigeriaAerophoneHornHorn
IdomaOtukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Struck GourdStruck Gourd
IdomaBenue State, Ohimini Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneMelon Gourd HornUkpe
IdomaOtukpo, Benue, Nigeria, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)XylophoneXylophone
IdomaOkpokwu City Ito, Ikache - Ejekwe Rd, Okonobo, Nigeria, NigeriaAnatomicalYellYodeling
IdomaNigeriaMembranophoneDouble-headed drumdouble-headed cylindrical drum
IdomaNigeriaAerophoneFluteflute, ikpali, ɔkpancile, ɔkpancina, émlà, émlàadà, ɔgba
IdomaNigeriaChordophoneHarpharp
IdomaNigeriaIdiophoneKalimbakalimba
IdomaNigeriaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, àgìdìgbè
IdomaNigeriaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistle, whistling
IdomaBenue State, Ohimini Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneBuffalo or Gazelle HornÒpò
IdomaBenue State, Ohimini Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneAnimal Hide and Wood GongỌkangga
IdomaBenue State, Ohimini Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneBamboo FluteỌkpachina
IfugaoPhilippinesAerophoneClarinetidioglot clarinet, flute
IfugaoPhilippinesIdiophoneJaw harpjaw harp, bikkuŋ
IgboOrumba North, Anambra, Nigeria, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)XylophoneXylophone
IgboNigeriaIdiophoneDouble belldouble bell, ogene
IgboNigeriaAerophoneFluteflute, oja
IgboNigeriaAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet, okike, ọdu-mkpala-alọ, enenke
IgboNigeriaIdiophonePot drumpot drum, udu
IgboNigeriaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, ikoro, ekwe
IsiXhosaGqeberha, South AfricaAnatomicalWhistlingWhistling
JaboLower Kru Coast, Grand Kru, Liberia, LiberiaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumSlit-Log Drum
JaboLiberiaMembranophoneCylindrical drumcylindrical drum
Jola-FonyiSenegalAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
KarajáBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
KayanPapua New GuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumgaramut, slit-log drum
KeleDemocratic Republic of the CongoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)anatomical whistle, whistling
KeleDemocratic Republic of the CongoAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet
KeleDemocratic Republic of the CongoIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, bouŋgu
KeleDemocratic Republic of the CongoAnatomicalYellyell, shouting language
KewaSouthern Highlands Province, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (plucked)Jaw harpJaw Harp
KhmuLaos,Thailand,Vietnam,ChinaAerophoneFluteflute, tɔt
KhmuLaos,Thailand,Vietnam,ChinaIdiophoneJaw harpjaw harp, hrooŋ
KickapooMexicoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Whistling
KinyarwandaRwandaAerophoneHornhorn
KissiGuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, drum xylophone
KpelleLiberiaIdiophoneXylophoneXylophone
KpelleLiberiaMembranophoneDrummembrane drum
KpelleLiberiaChordophoneMusical bowmusical bow, gboŋ-kpala
KpelleLiberiaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, slit drum, kóno
KpelleLiberiaAerophoneHornwooden horn, túru
KrahôBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
KruLiberiaAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet
KruLiberiaMembranophoneTension drumtalking drum, tension drum
KwomaPapua New GuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, mee
KwomaPapua New GuineaAnatomicalYellyell, shouted language
LahuChina,ThailandAerophoneFree-reed mouth organnaw, free-reed mouth organ
LisuThailand,Myanmar,ChinaAerophoneFree-reed mouth organnaw, free-reed mouth organ
LobiriBurkina FasoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
LobiriBurkina FasoIdiophoneXylophoneyelẽ, xylophone, balafon
LokaaCross River State, Yakurr Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Pair of Wooden or Metal ShakersAtaba
LokaaCross River State, Yakurr Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneBarrel Drum with Animal SkinEkang
LokaaCross River State, Yakurr Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneCarved Wooden Drum with Animal Skin HeadObon
LubaDemocratic Republic of the CongoAerophoneHornHorn, kímàmà
LubaKasaï-Central, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the CongoIdiophone (struck)Double BellLúbèmbò
LubaDemocratic Republic of the CongoIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, tʃiɔ́ndɔ̀, kiɔ̂ndɔ́, tshiondo
LugandaUgandaMembranophoneSingle-headed membrane drum'ngoma, drum
LyélèBurkina FasoAerophoneFlutenotch-flute whistle, fipple flute, ouwa
ManjakuGuinea-BissauIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, bombalom
ManjakuGuinea-BissauAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
MarkaBurkina FasoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
MazatecMexicoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
MbaDemocratic Republic of the CongoAnatomicalYellYell
MbubeCross River State, Ogoja Local Government Area, NigeriaMembranophoneAnimal Skin DrumEdumo
MbubeCross River State, Ogoja Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden GongElo
MbɔleDemocratic Republic of the CongoIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
MendiSierra LeoneMembranophoneCylindrical drumsangba, double-headed cylindrical drum
MixtecMexicoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
MobaTogoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
Mongo-NkunduDemocratic Republic of the CongoIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
MonumboBogia District, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumSlit-Log Drum
MuinaneColombiaIdiophoneSlit-log drum pairmanguaré, slit-log drum pair
MuruiBrazilIdiophoneSlit-log drumjuai, juarai, manguaré
MwaghavulPlateau State, Mangu Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneAnimal Horn HornFeer
MwaghavulPlateau State, Mangu Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneCorn Stalk FluteǸveeláng
MòoréBurkina FasoMembranophoneCylindrical drumcylindrical drum, bendré
MòoréBurkina FasoMembranophoneTension drumhour-glass tension drum, talking drum, lounga
MòoréBurkina FasoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
NahavaqVanuatuIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, hinen nimbwilei, nerumbwen, simbesimb, bewelep
NekginiPapua New GuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
NgasAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneAnimal Horn HornSombi
NindeVanuatuIdiophonePot drumpot drum
NindeVanuatuIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, tam-tam
NupeNigeriaAerophoneClarinetclarinet, bínakũ̀
NupeNigeriaMembranophoneDouble-headed drumdouble-headed drum, enyà, sala, galo
NupeNigeriaAerophoneFluteflute, eyígi
NupeNigeriaAerophoneFluteflute, kpànsã́nã́gi
NupeNigeriaMembranophoneTension drumkã̀nã̀ngǔ, tension drum, talking drum
NupeNigeriaChordophoneLutelute, dùngùrù
NupeNigeriaMembranophoneDrum triomembrane drum, gàlé, drum trio
NupeNigeriaMembranophoneDrum triomembrane drum, tsari, drum trio
NupeNigeriaChordophoneZitherraft zither, bísã
NupeNigeriaAerophoneTrumpettrumpet, kàkàti
OcainaBrazilIdiophoneDrum pairslit-log drum pair, manguaré
PapelGuinea-BissauIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
Patpatar-TolaiPapua New GuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
PirahãBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
PirahãBrazilAnatomicalYellyell, shouted language
SamberigiPapua New GuineaIdiophoneJaw harpjaw harp, sokē
SeenkuBurkina FasoIdiophoneXylophonebalafon, bâ̰a̰
SenufoIvory CoastIdiophoneXylophonebalafon
Siberian YupikUnited StatesAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
SirionóBoliviaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
Sochiapam ChinantecMexicoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
SpanishSpainAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Andalusian whistling
SpanishMexicoAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)Tlaxcalan whistling
SpanishSpainAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling, Silbo Gomero
SuaGuinea-BissauIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum
SuruíBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TakiaKarkar Island, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-log drumGaramut
TamazightMoroccoAerophoneWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TanguPapua New GuineaIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, mnguna, garamut
TarokAkwa Ibom State, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Fruit Shell with BeadsIkpang Ichir
TedimMyanmarIdiophoneXylophonethree-gong xylophone, kilɔŋ, da·k, parrot gong
TedimMyanmarAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TelefolPapua New GuineaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TepehuaMexicoOther—whistling
TetelaSankuru, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the CongoIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumLukumbi
TivBenue State, 16th Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden drumGbagede
TivBenue State, 16th Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneMetal FluteGida
TivBenue State, 16th Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Carved wooden drumIlyu
TivBenue State, 16th Local Government Area, NigeriaIdiophone (struck)Wooden DrumIndyer
TivBenue State, 16th Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneMetal FluteKakai
ToussianHauts-Bassins and Cascades, Burkina FasoIdiophone (struck)XylophoneBalafon
TshiVendaThohoyandou, South AfricaAnatomicalWhistlingWhistling
TunenCameroonIdiophoneDouble belldouble bell, nikələŋ
TunenCameroonAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet, mɛsɛp
TunenCameroonIdiophoneSlit-log drumslit-log drum, tukoko
TunenCameroonAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TuparíBrazilAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
TurkishTurkeyAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling, kuş dili
TwiGhanaAerophoneHornhorn, trumpet, abẹn, abẹntia, seseẹ, ntahera, mmaranee
TwiGhanaChordophoneHarpseperewa, Akan harp
Vital, commonplace usage as of 2016(Watson & Duffield — 2016Other—Lucas James
WamPapua New GuineaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
WaskiaKarkar Island, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumGaramut
WayãpiFrench GuianaAnatomicalWhistle (anatomical)whistling
WogeoVokeo Island, Papua New Guinea, Papua New GuineaIdiophone (struck)Slit-Log DrumSlit Gong
WolofSenegalMembranophoneGoblet drumgoblet drum, sabar
XhosaSouth AfricaChordophoneMusical bowbowed musical bow, umhrube
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneWooden FluteKaki Gbabi
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneWooden FluteKpaasi Gbabi
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneWooden FluteKpesa Gbabi
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneWooden FluteKƆng Gbabi
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneWooden FluteKƱrang Gbabi
YandangAdamawa state, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area, NigeriaAerophoneBass Wooden FluteYeng Gbabi
YorubaNigeriaMembranophoneDouble-headed drumdouble-headed drum, batá
YorubaNigeriaMembranophone—drum
YorubaNigeriaMembranophoneDrumdùndún
YoyThailand,LaosAerophoneFree-reed mouth organfree-reed mouth organ, naw