Here are the four families of instruments and their definitions. I also included a definition for tone color.
Tone Color – the special sound of an instrument or voice.
Woodwinds – any instrument whose tone is produced by a vibrating reed. (exception – Flute and Piccolo)
Brass – any instrument whose tone is produced by buzzing lips in a mouthpiece.
Strings – any instrument whose tone is produced by bowing or plucking a string.
Percussion – any instrument whose tone is produced by hitting or striking.
12/11/2002