BASIC MUSIC FOR MUSICIANS

INSTRUMENTATION

Instrumentation refers to the actual instruments that are used in a song.  Musical elements / instruments are both rhythmic and harmonic, as even drums have musical pitch and a violin note has rhythm.

Commonly used instruments include:

Drums (Kick, Snare, Hat, Toms, Cymbals, and also Room Tracks)
Percussion (Conga, Bongo, Timbale, Clave, Maraca, Shaker, Clap, Go-go, Cowbell, etc)
Bass (Upright, Electric, Synthesizer)
Guitar (Acoustic, 12-String, Electric, Distorted, Wah-Wah, etc)
Piano
Organ
Strings (Ensembles/Orchestras, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)
Horns (Trumpet,  Trombone, French Horn, Tuba)
Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxaphone)
Synthesizers & Drum Machines
Background Vocals
Lead Vocals
Lead Instruments (any of the above)

Certain instruments have particular sounds that make them optimal for specific song functions, such as a percussion instrument to make a beat.  However, most instruments can perform the functions of others.