Items · Classification (Sachs-Von Hornbostel revised by MIMO) · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection

Classification (Sachs-Von Hornbostel revised by MIMO)

A numerical-order listing of the instrument classification numbers and their definitions found on this site follows. Its content adheres, for the most part, to the classificatory system published in 2011 by the Musical Instrument Museums Online (MIMO) organization titled "Revision of the Hornbostel-Sachs Classification of Musical Instruments by the MIMO Consortium" (the original classification system by Erich M. von Hornbostel and Curt Sachs was first published in the "Zeitschrift für Ethnologie" (nos. 4 & 5) in 1914 under the title: "Systematik der Musikinstrumente. Ein Versuch"). We list only the numbers that have been used on this site; therefore, the list that follows is not a reproduction of the entire MIMO system. Each number below serves as a link that, when clicked, produces a sort of all of the instruments in this collection to which it applies. The definitions provided here are NOT always verbatim transcriptions of those found in the MIMO system; in many instances we have found it necessary to edit the original definitions to make them consistent with the vocabulary of terms utilized on this site. More information on musical instrument classification systems, along with the application of one such system to a subset of instruments found on this site, can be found in the WESTERN INSTRUMENTS section.

422.112.2
aerophone--single conical-bore reedpipe with double (or quadruple) reed: the pipe has a reed (usually a flattened stem) of paired lamellae which periodically open and close, controlling the flow of air; with fingerholes
422.112.2-62--422.221.1-62
aerophone--composite instrument with two varieties of reedpipes supplied with airflow from a common flexible air reservoir: 1) a single conical-bore reedpipe with double (or quadruple) reed, the pipe has a reed (usually a flattened stem) of paired lamellae which periodically open and close to generate a sound wave in the pipe; with fingerholes--2) a set of cylindrical-bore reedpipes with single reeds, each pipe has a single reed consisting of a lamella which periodically opens and closes an aperture to generate sound waves in the pipe; without fingerholes
422.211.2
aerophone--single cylindrical-bore reedpipe with single reed: the pipe has a [single] reed consisting of a lamella which periodically opens and closes an aperture, controlling the flow of air; with fingerholes
422.212.2
aerophone--single conical-bore reedpipe with single reed: the pipe has a [single] reed consisting of a lamella which periodically opens and closes an aperture, controlling the flow of air; with fingerholes stopped with keys
422.221.2
aerophone--set of cylindrical-bore reedpipes with single reeds; each pipe has a [single] reed consisting of a lamella which periodically opens and closes an aperture, controlling the flow of air; at least one pipe has fingerholes
422.311.2
aerophone--single cylindrical-bore reedpipe with free reed: reedpipe with a reed which vibrates through a closely fitted frame; the air column must be the dominant partner in determining the frequency of vibration; with fingerholes
422.321.2-5
aerophone--set of cylindrical-bore reedpipes with free reeds: reedpipes with a reed which vibrates through a closely fitted frame; the air column must be the dominant partner in determining the frequency of vibration; at least one pipe has fingerholes; with wind-cap
423.111.1
aerophone--natural labrosone end-blown conch; without mouthpiece
423.111.2
aerophone--natural labrosone end-blown conch; with mouthpiece
423.121.11
aerophone--end-blown straight natural labrosone without mouthpiece: the tube is neither curved nor folded
423.121.12
aerophone--end-blown straight natural labrosone with mouthpiece: the tube is neither curved nor folded
423.121.21
aerophone--end-blown natural labrosone with curved or folded tube; without mouthpiece
423.121.22
aerophone--end-blown natural labrosone with curved or folded tube; with mouthpiece (material has been added to the tube to form a mouthpiece)
423.121.22-4
aerophone--end-blown natural labrosone with curved or folded tube; with mouthpiece (material has been added to the tube to form a mouthpiece); with lengths of tube to set nominal pitches preparatory to playing
423.122.1
aerophone--side-blown straight natural labrosone
423.122.2
aerophone--side-blown curved natural labrosone
423.212
aerophone--end-blown chromatic labrosone with narrow conical bore and fingerholes
423.213
aerophone--end-blown chromatic labrosone with wide conical bore and vent holes
423.22
aerophone--chromatic labrosone slide trumpet: the tube can be lengthened by extending a telescopic section of the instrument whilst it is played
423.231.11
aerophone--narrow-bore chromatic labrosone valve bugle with short air column (less than 2m); the tube is predominantly conical
423.231.2
aerophone--wide-bore chromatic labrosone valve bugle with long air column (more than 2m); the tube is predominantly conical
423.232.11
aerophone--narrow-bore chromatic labrosone valve horn with short air column (less than 2m); the tube is of intermediate bore profile
423.232.11-4
aerophone--narrow-bore chromatic labrosone valve horn with short air column (less than 2m); the tube is of intermediate bore profile; with lengths of tube to set nominal pitches preparatory to playing
423.232.12
aerophone--narrow-bore chromatic labrosone valve horn with long air column (more than 2m); the tube is of intermediate bore profile