*Undergoing changes in sound examples

The Guess That Instrument Game is a fun way to test your ability to recognize instruments by sound. Instead of relying on an instrument's appearance or name, you'll listen closely to its tone and try to identify what is producing the sound. It's a useful ear-training exercise for musicians, producers, singers, DJs, and anyone interested in music.

When playing, don't focus only on the pitch of the sound. Pay attention to its timbre, which is the unique tonal character that helps distinguish one instrument from another. A trumpet and saxophone can play the same note but still sound completely different because of their harmonic content and how the sound is produced.

Listen for clues such as whether the sound is breathy, metallic, bowed, plucked, struck, sustained, or percussive. The attack of a sound can be just as informative as the note itself.

A lesser-known challenge is that identifying instruments becomes harder when they're heavily processed. Reverb, distortion, compression, pitch shifting, and other effects can dramatically change an instrument's recognizable characteristics. Try listening for the underlying sound rather than the production effects.

You can also challenge yourself by comparing instruments from the same family. For example, see if you can distinguish between different types of saxophones or between acoustic and electric versions of similar instruments.

Tip: Don't guess based on the first second of audio. Listen to the attack, sustain, and decay of the sound. Those three stages can provide valuable clues about how the instrument produces its tone.

Related Pages:

What Instrument Should You Play? Several Choices That May Fit Your Style

10 Great Reasons To Become A Multi-Instrumentalist + Where To Start

12 Best Instruments For Kids To Learn Music