Germany has a long-standing history in the field of music and instruments. The country has definitely produced many great composers and musicians throughout the years, and it’s no wonder that it also boasts an impressive array of instruments. In this post, we’ll go over the top words for musical instruments in German so that you can finally level up your interactions with fellow Musiker or musicians. Let’s begin!
Let’s be real: Music is like its own language, right? It’s this incredible fusion of notes and talent that manages to tell stories that resonate with our hearts, move our souls, and forge deep connections. Yeah, lyrics are important and all, but there’s something undeniably powerful about the sound of musical instruments on their own. I mean, think about it—how the saxophone seems to cry out or how guitars effortlessly bring that rustic charm to any song. It’s like they have a voice of their own, and they speak to us in ways that words simply can’t.
As someone from Asia, I found myself enjoying the Baroque classical music. It’s a whole different world, filled with this grand and dramatic energy that I couldn’t resist. So, naturally, when I had the chance to visit some German-speaking countries, I thought, “Why not strike up conversations with the locals about their royal core music?” And you know what? It turned out to be an absolute blast!
So when I found myself in Germany, I tried my best to pepper my sentences with words like das Cello (cello), die Flöte (flute), and das Schlagzeug (drums). Now, let me be clear, my pronunciation was far from perfect — I even called upon every saint I could think of to help me get those words right🙏! But you know what? It didn’t matter. What truly mattered was the genuine interest I had in the topic and my eagerness to learn from the locals.
And guess what? It worked like magic! The locals just warmed up to me so fast! We ended up having these incredible conversations about their perspectives on Royal Core music, and it was a fantastic way to connect with people on a deeper level. Now this is what I want you to also experience when you visit other countries. So in this post, we’ll go over the top musical instruments in German and their translations. Let’s begin!
Musical Instruments In German
Ready to start your melodic journey to German music? In this section, we’ll go over each musical instrument based on the following categories: string, wind, brass, percussion, and electronic instruments in German. Let’s begin!

Plucked String Instruments – Zupfinstrumente
Get ready to be mesmerized by the enchanting sounds of plucked string instruments from Germany! In this section, we’ll explore the unique characteristics of these melodious instruments, from traditional to modern, that have played a significant role in shaping German music.
English | German |
---|---|
Guitar | die Gitarre |
Harp | die Harfe |
Lute | die Laute |
Zither | die Zither |
Mandolin | die Mandoline |
Banjo | das Banjo |
Ukulele | die Ukulele |
Balalaika | die Balalaika |

Bowed String Instruments – Streichinstrumente
Now, let’s dive into the world of bowed string instruments that have captivated German music lovers for centuries. We’ll uncover the charm, elegance, and expressive power of these instruments, which have been an integral part of Germany’s musical heritage.
English | German |
---|---|
Violin | die Violine |
Viola | die Bratsche |
Cello | das Cello |
Double Bass | der Kontrabass |
Viola da Gamba | die Viola da Gamba |
Violone | der Violone |
Hardanger Fiddle | die Hardangerfiedel |
Stroh Violin | die Strohgeige |

Woodwind Instruments – Holzblasinstrumente
Prepare to be blown away by the alluring world of German woodwind instruments! In this section, we’ll delve into the fascinating history, craftsmanship, and delightful tones of these instruments that have breathed life into German music.
English | German |
---|---|
Flute | die Flöte |
Clarinet | die Klarinette |
Oboe | die Oboe |
Bassoon | das Fagott |
Piccolo | die Piccoloflöte |
English Horn | das Englischhorn |
Recorder | die Blockflöte |
Contrabassoon | das Kontrafagott |

Brass Instruments – Blechblasinstrumente
Let’s turn up the volume and shine the spotlight on the vibrant brass instruments that have left an indelible mark on Germany’s musical landscape. We’ll explore the versatility, power, and captivating timbres of these instruments, which have played a crucial role in shaping German music.
English | German |
---|---|
Trumpet | die Trompete |
French Horn | das Horn |
Trombone | die Posaune |
Tuba | die Tuba |
Cornet | das Kornett |
Euphonium | das Euphonium |
Flugelhorn | das Flügelhorn |
Baritone Horn | das Baritonhorn |

Percussion Instruments – Schlaginstrumente
Are you ready to feel the rhythm? In this section, we’ll explore the fascinating world of German percussion instruments, which have been instrumental in providing the heartbeat of German music. From traditional drums to modern innovations, we’ll uncover the magic of these rhythmic wonders.
English | German |
---|---|
Timpani | die Pauke |
Snare Drum | die kleine Trommel |
Bass Drum | die große Trommel |
Cymbals | die Becken |
Xylophone | das Xylophon |
Glockenspiel | das Glockenspiel |
Marimba | die Marimba |
Tambourine | das Tamburin |

Electronic Instruments – Elektronische Instrumente
Finally, let’s journey into the futuristic realm of electronic instruments, which have revolutionized the German music scene with the world-famous Berlin Techno. We’ll delve into the innovative technologies and sonic possibilities that these instruments have brought to the table, ushering in a new era of creativity and musical expression.
English | German |
---|---|
Synthesizer | der Synthesizer |
Electric Guitar | die E-Gitarre |
Electric Piano | das E-Piano |
MIDI Controller | der MIDI-Controller |
Sampler | der Sampler |
Drum Machine | der Trommelsynthesizer |
Sentence Formula For Musical Instruments
As we always say, words are great, but they can’t function on their own. To make your expressions a lot more clear, it’s important to use the words we covered above in complete sentences. In this section, we’ll go over two simple patterns.
Mein liebstes Musikinstrument ist + German Instrument
This German sentence pattern translates to “My favorite musical instrument is + German Instrument” in English. Let’s see some examples below of its usage:
- My favorite musical instrument is the electric guitar = Mein liebstes Musikinstrument ist die E-Gitarre.
- My favorite musical instrument is the trumpet = Mein liebstes Musikinstrument ist die Trompete.
- My favorite musical instrument is the accordion = Mein liebstes Musikinstrument ist das Akkordeon.
Ich kann + German Instrument
This German sentence pattern literally translates to “I can + German Instrument + play ” in English. Let’s check out some sentence examples below:
- I can play the flute = Ich kann Flöte spielen.
- I can play the guitar = Ich kann Gitarre spielen.
- I can play the bagpipes = Ich kann Dudelsack spielen.
See how easy to incorporate the words into sentences? Of course, there are more ways to use them, but the patterns we covered above can certainly help beginners. If you want to learn more advanced sentence structures, then you’ve got to try the Ling app!
Learn German With Ling
Have you ever wanted to level up your German skills or perhaps learn one of 60+ other languages? Well, with the Ling app, you’ve got an amazing app that offers a wide range of real-life lessons to help you do just that! All it takes is 15 minutes a day, and you’ll not only unlock new words but also gain the confidence to use them in complete sentences. Pretty cool, huh? No wonder thousands of people are making the switch to Ling!
So, why not give it a try? Head on over to the App Store or Play Store and download Ling today. You won’t be disappointed!