**Classifying music

**Classifying music

1. BY SOUND

   • Pitt-Rivers (Uni. of Oxford)
     • instruments classified by characteristics but as collection grows: need for system of ordering
       • Classification methods for musical instruments:
         • Sachs-Hornbostel system (dating back to an ancient Sanskrit text)
           • idiophones (self-vibrating)
           • membranophones (vibrating membranes)
           • chordophones (vibrating strings
           • aerophones (vibrating columns of air)
         • Dividing by FAMILIES (classical tradition)
           • Strings
             • bowed instr.
             • plucked instr.
           • Woodwind & brass
             • wind instr.
           • percussions
             • 'indefinite pitch & 'indefinite pitch' - can be tuned
           • keyboard i

2. VOICES: mostly class. by pitch:

   • from highest to lowest: soprano, alto, tenor, bass

3. BY RANGE

   • folk, flamenco, classical, electronic dance music
     • fairly subjective: 'Barcelona' by Freddy Mercury (rock singer) & by Montserrat Caballe (opera singer)