A category of musical instrument defined by ethnomusicologists Erich Hornbostel and Curt Sachs. From the Greek -phone (sound or voice) and aer- (air)

Aerophones are musical instruments that are played with breath or moving air. This includes instruments that produce sound through use of a mouthpiece, vibrating reed, or other resonating material. Some examples of aerophones are organs, harmoniums, flutes, clarinets, double-reeds, trumpets, horns, bagpipes, and mouth organs.

See Also: membranophone, chordophone, idiophone, electrophone.

A"ër*o*phone` (?), n. [Aëro- + Gr. &?; voice.]

(a)

A form of combined speaking and ear trumpet.

(b)

An instrument, proposed by Edison, for greatly intensifying speech. It consists of a phonograph diaphragm so arranged that its action opens and closes valves, producing synchronous air blasts sufficient to operate a larger diaphragm with greater amplitude of vibration.

© Webster 1913