Sowlea

Picture credits

Our instrument pictures are drawn from real photos that their owners shared under free licences. Here is where each one comes from.

Reviewed 7 October 2026

Changes: each photo was cut out from its background and redrawn by Sowlea in a coloured-pencil style. Pictures based on CC BY-SA photos are shared under the same licence.

Japan

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
ShamisenShamisen MET 192825.jpg Creator:Takechi MatsukawaCreator:Wakamura workshopCC0
ShakuhachiShakuhachi MET 142073.jpgUnknownCC0
BiwaHeike Biwa MET MUS283B.jpgUnknownCC0
ShoSho (wind instrument), Japan, 1800s AD, wood, lacquer, bamboo, silver - Peabody Essex Museum - DSC07499.jpgDaderotPublic domain

United Kingdom

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Great Highland bagpipeGreat Highlands Bagpipe 001.jpgUser:MushummelPublic domain
Welsh triple harpWelsh Triple Harp MET DT267636.jpg Creator:John RichardsCC0
Irish harpPortable Harp MET DT267628.jpg Creator:John EganCC0
ConcertinaConcertina MET MIDP2003.380(3).jpgWheatstoneCC0
FiddleViolin VL100.pngJust plain BillCC0
Brass bandCornet à pistons, 4e regiment infanterie Maastricht (1868).jpgUnknown photographer (Rijksmuseum)CC0
Euphonium1.JPGNetherlandishYankee at English WikipediaPublic domain

South Korea

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
HaegeumHaegeum at National Museum of Korea.jpgEggmoonCC BY-SA 3.0
JangguChanggo (장구 ) - MET 89.4.141.jpgUnknownCC0
KkwaenggwariKkwaenggwari, exposat a Eolssigu! Els sons de Corea.jpgSguasteviCC BY-SA 4.0

India

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
SitarSitar MET C10563 1994.63.jpgUnknownCC0
TablaInstrument perkusyjny TABLA firmy Meinl.jpghttp://muzyczny.plCC BY-SA 4.0
TanpuraTanjore Tāmbūra (male) MET DP165287.jpgUnknownCC0
SarangiSarangi MET MI6.jpgUnknownCC0
Saraswati veenaVina (वीणा) MET midp2009.531 det7.jpgUnknownCC0
MridangamMridangam transparent.pngUnknownPublic domain
HarmoniumHare krishna Travel harmonium.jpgHare Krishna Musical StoreCC0

China

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
GuqinQin MET DP302703.jpg Creator:Prince LuCC0
PipaPipa MET DP216710.jpgUnknownCC0
ErhuErhu in the Mets.jpgUnknown authorUnknown authorCC0
SuonaSuona, Tengwangge (Prince of Teng Pavilion) (31393445192).jpgGary Todd from Xinzheng, ChinaCC0

France

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Accordion (accordéon)Accordion MET DP224731.jpgUnknownCC0
Vielle à roue (hurdy-gurdy)Hurdy-Gurdy MET MI19.jpgUnknownCC0
SaxophoneAlto saxophone in E-flat MET DP338623.jpgAdolphe SaxCC0
Harpsichord (clavecin)Harpsichord MET DP225544.jpgUnknownCC0
FluteAlto Flute MET DP158085.jpg Creator:Boehm & Mendler, GermanCC0
MusetteMusette de Cour MET DP103174~1.jpg Unknown authorUnknown authorCC0

Germany

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Pipe organPipe Organ MET 1982.59.jpg Creator:Thomas AppletonCC0
ZitherConcert Zither MET 269983.jpg Creator:Hartmann Bros. & ReinhardCC0
German concertinaConcertina MET DP225644.jpgWheatstoneCC0
BandoneonMusikinstrumenten-Museum Berlin - Bandonion mit Registerschaltung - 1108912.jpgSabine HoffmannCC BY-SA 4.0
SynthesizerCrumar Digital Synthesizer DS2 (front).jpgPerfectCircuitCC0

Italy

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
ViolinViolin MET DP230469.jpgAntonio GragnaniCC0
PianoSohmer & Co. grand piano (2012-07-31 18.06.15 @pxhere 1347760).jpgUnknown authorUnknown authorCC0
MandolinMandolin MET DP169023.jpgAngelo MannelloCC0
TambourineTambourine - 1970s - Palace of the Viceroy, Tobolsk.jpgЛапотьCC0

Spain

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Classical guitarRoberto Regazzi, Bologna 1985, Travel Guitar Elisa.jpgFlorenusPublic domain
Flamenco guitarFlamenco Guitar MET DP-13193-001.jpg Creator:Santos HernándezCC0
CastanetsCastagnetten, BK-NM-7457.jpgRijksmuseumCC0
GaitaGaita seivane brocada.JPGSusana SeivanePublic domain

Russia

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
BalalaikaBalalaika in the Kodiak History Museum.jpgHiartCC0
DomraДомра эксп. цеха фабрики Луначарского, 1970-е.JPGПростоУчастникCC0
ZhaleikaRizhok.jpgHaCeMeiPublic domain
Wooden spoonsState Gifts Lacquer Bowls.JPGUnknownPublic domain

Egypt

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
HarpArched Harp (shoulder harp) MET 43.2.1 EGDP013644.jpgUnknownCC0
SistrumSistrum MET DP311616.jpgUnknownCC0
OudAzerbaijani musical instrument ud in Heydar Aliyev Center.jpgInterfasePublic domain
QanunQānūn - MET 89.4.330.jpgUnknownCC0
MizmarЗурла од Скопје.jpgBig ooga booga mfCC0

Nigeria

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Dùndún (talking drum)Talking drum made by me.jpgDanotechCC BY-SA 4.0
ShekereShekere.jpgen:User:FreddythehatPublic domain
GojeVièle Haoussa-Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale.jpgJi-ElleCC BY-SA 3.0

Brazil

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
PandeiroTambourine - 1970s - Palace of the Viceroy, Tobolsk.jpgЛапотьCC0
AgogôModern-Agogo.jpgFreddythehat at English WikipediaPublic domain
TamborimTamborim.JPGAlnoCC BY-SA 3.0

Mexico

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
Clay whistles, ocarinas and conch shellsPottery Whistle MET DP157378.jpgUnknownCC0
Maya Conch Shell Trumpet Kimbell.jpgUser:FA2010Public domain
Trumpet and violinValve Trumpet in B-flat MET DP-12679-159.jpg Creator:David C. HallCC0
Violin MET DP230469.jpgAntonio GragnaniCC0

United States

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
BanjoBanjo MET DP-13783-001.jpg Creator:Hercules McCordCC0
Electric guitarFender Stratocaster 004-2.jpgFender_Stratocaster_004.JPG: Stra2caster derivative work: Atlantictire (talk)Public domain
SaxophoneAlto Saxophone MET C5421 89.4.2170.jpg Creator:Arsene-Zoe Lecomte & CieCC0
Native American flute20180404 STS-113 Chickasaw flute.jpgBalon GreyjoyCC0
TurntablesTechnics SL-1200MK5 Direct Drive Turntable System with Ortofon cartridge (2017-01-21 22.33.27 piqsels.com en).jpgUnknown authorUnknown authorCC0

String instruments

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
ViolinViolin VL100.pngJust plain BillCC0
ViolaViola MET DP158083.jpg Creator:Robert HorneCC0
CelloVioloncello MET DT7705.jpgJean-Baptiste VuillaumeCC0
Double bass1957 King Mortone Double Bass - Blonde Finish.jpgDavid.pricePublic domain
Acoustic and classical guitarAcoustic guitar.jpgMassimo GiulianiPublic domain
Roberto Regazzi, Bologna 1985, Travel Guitar Elisa.jpgFlorenusPublic domain
Electric guitar and bassE Guitar Cutouts Compo noBG.jpgAuge=mitCC BY-SA 4.0
Fender jazz bass.jpgBisoCC BY 3.0
UkuleleUkulele MET DP218831.jpgUnknownCC0
HarpPedal Harp MET MI18.jpg Creator:Lyon & HealyCC0

Woodwind instruments

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
FluteAlto Flute MET DP158085.jpg Creator:Boehm & Mendler, GermanCC0
RecorderSoprano Recorder in B MET DP105123.jpg Creator:Thomas Coenraet BoekhoutCC0
ClarinetClarinet in B-flat MET 219947.jpg Creator:Gautrot aînéCC0
BassoonBassoon MET DP218094.jpg Creator:Giosue EspositoCC0
SaxophoneAlto saxophone in E-flat MET DP338623.jpgAdolphe SaxCC0

Brass instruments

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
French hornFrench horn blue background.jpgCupcakePerson13CC0
TromboneTrombone MET DP-12679-120.jpgUnknownCC0
TubaTuba MET DP340077.jpg Creator:C.W. MoritzCC0

Keyboard instruments

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
OrganPipe Organ MET 1982.59.jpg Creator:Thomas AppletonCC0
HarpsichordHarpsichord MET DT684a.jpg Creator:Jan Couchet the ElderCC0
SynthesizerCrumar Digital Synthesizer DS2 (front).jpgPerfectCircuitCC0

Austria

InstrumentInstrumentOriginal photoAuthorLicence
ZitherZither and Case by Franz Schwarzer Zither Company.jpgFranz Schwarzer Zither Co.Public domain
Vienna hornMIMEd 4461. Vienna horn nominal pitch F, B-flat.pngUniversity of Edinburgh; photographed by Dominic IbbotsonCC BY 3.0
Viennese fortepianoHammerflügel Walter MIM 5423.jpgMuseumsinsulanerPublic domain
Steirische HarmonikaSteirische Harmonika Styria Austria Ziehharmonika Knöpferlharmonika.JPGNxr-atCC BY-SA 4.0
HackbrettHammered Dulcimer MET 217482.jpgUnknownCC0
ContraguitarKontragitarre.jpgNeitramCC BY-SA 3.0

Piano sound: Salamander Grand Piano by Alexander Holm (CC BY 3.0).