You’re probably here because of a crossword puzzle. Or maybe a trivia night gone wrong. Most people, when asked to name musical instruments that start with an E, stall out after "electric guitar" and "electric bass." It’s a bit of a niche corner of the music world, honestly. But once you dig past the obvious gear you'd find at a Guitar Center, you hit a rich vein of historical oddities, folk staples, and high-tech synthesis.
Music history is messy. It’s not just about the hits on the radio; it’s about the weird stuff tucked away in museum basements or played in small villages halfway across the globe. From the haunting drone of the Epinette des Vosges to the space-age wobble of the EVI, the "E" category is surprisingly deep.
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The Obvious Icons: Electric Everything
Let’s get the big ones out of the way first. When we talk about musical instruments that start with an E, the electric guitar is the undisputed king. It changed everything. Before Leo Fender and Les Paul started tinkering in the 1940s and 50s, the guitar was a quiet, acoustic thing that got drowned out by big bands.
Then came the electrification.
The electric guitar isn't just one instrument. It's a whole ecosystem. You have solid-body guitars like the Telecaster, hollow-body jazz boxes, and the seven-string monsters used in modern metal. It’s about the pickups—those little magnets that turn string vibrations into voltage. If you’ve ever heard Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, you’ve heard the absolute peak of what this "E" instrument can do.
Then there’s the Electric Bass. Precision Bass. That was the game-changer. Suddenly, bass players didn't have to lug around a massive upright doghouse. They could fit their rig in a trunk and actually be heard over a drummer. It's the literal heartbeat of rock, funk, and R&B.
But don't ignore the Electric Piano. We aren't just talking about cheap plastic keyboards here. Think of the Fender Rhodes or the Wurlitzer. These are mechanical beasts. They have hammers and metal tines or reeds. When you hit a key, a hammer strikes metal, and a pickup grabs the sound. It’s a warm, bell-like growl that defined 70s soul and jazz fusion. Ray Charles’ "What'd I Say" wouldn't exist without the Wurly. It’s iconic.
The Folk Roots: Epinette and Erhu
Now we’re getting into the good stuff. The stuff that makes you sound like an expert.
Ever heard of the Epinette des Vosges? Probably not unless you spend a lot of time in eastern France. It’s a traditional plucked zither. It looks like a long, skinny box with strings stretched across it. It’s a "drone" instrument, meaning some strings play a constant note while you fret the melody on others. It’s got this raw, medieval sound that feels like it belongs in a misty forest. It’s a cousin to the Appalachian dulcimer, but with a sharper, more European bite.
Then there is the Erhu. This is a powerhouse of Chinese music.
Two strings. That’s it.
The Erhu is often called the "Chinese violin," but that's a bit of a lazy comparison. It’s played vertically on your lap. The bow is actually hair-thin and threaded between the strings. You don’t press the strings against a fingerboard; you just touch them in mid-air. It produces a sound that is eerily close to a human voice crying. If you’ve watched a movie set in ancient China, you’ve heard an Erhu. It’s incredibly difficult to master because there’s no fretboard to guide your fingers. You just have to feel where the notes are.
The Euphonium: The Tuba's Smaller, Sweeter Cousin
If you were in a marching band, you know the Euphonium. If you weren't, you probably think it's a small tuba.
The name comes from the Greek word euphonos, which basically means "sweet-voiced." And it really is. While the tuba provides the floor-shaking rumble, the euphonium handles the lyrical, soaring melodies in a brass band. It has a conical bore, which gives it a much darker, rounder tone than a trumpet or a trombone. It’s the "cello" of the wind world.
The Digital Frontier: EWI and EVI
Technically, these belong in the musical instruments that start with an E category as much as any violin.
The EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) is basically a synthesizer you blow into. It was popularized by jazz fusion legends like Michael Brecker. Instead of keys, it uses touch-sensitive pads. You use woodwind fingering—similar to a saxophone—but you can trigger any sound imaginable. You can make a saxophone sound like a distorted lead guitar or a cathedral organ just by changing a patch.
The EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) is the trumpet player’s version. It’s a bit rarer. Nyle Steiner invented these back in the 70s. These instruments bridged the gap between traditional physical expression (breath control) and the infinite possibilities of digital synthesis. They aren't just toys; they require massive amounts of breath support and finger dexterity.
The Rare and The Forgotten
Let’s talk about the Ektara.
It’s a one-stringed instrument used in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. "Ek" means one, and "tara" means string. It’s the ultimate minimalist tool. You’ll see it used by wandering bards and Sufi singers. It’s basically a gourd or a wooden bowl with a neck made of split bamboo. By squeezing the bamboo neck, you can change the tension of the string and slide between notes. It’s rhythmic, it’s hypnotic, and it’s been around for centuries.
Then there’s the English Horn.
First off, it’s not English. And it’s not a horn.
It’s actually a double-reed woodwind, a bigger version of the oboe. In French, it was called cor anglé (angled horn) because of its bent shape. Somewhere along the line, anglé got mistranslated as Anglais, and the name stuck. It has a distinctive bulbous bell at the end which gives it a melancholy, soulful sound. If you hear a sad, lonely woodwind solo in a symphony, there's a 90% chance it's the English Horn.
Why "E" Instruments Matter for Modern Producers
If you’re making music today, you aren't just limited to what you can buy at a store. The "E" category represents a massive shift in how we perceive sound.
The transition from acoustic to Electric was the biggest leap in musical history. It allowed for sustain that never ends. It allowed for distortion. Before the electric guitar, "distortion" was just a mistake. Now, it’s a genre.
But even the folk instruments like the Esraj (another Indian bowed instrument) are finding their way into modern film scores and ambient tracks. Producers are looking for "organic" textures to layer over digital beats. A sample of an Erhu or an Ektara provides a human imperfection that a software synth just can’t replicate.
A Quick Reality Check on "E" Instruments
Sometimes people get confused and list things that don't belong. Let’s clarify a few:
- Egg Shakers: Technically they start with E, but most percussionists just call them shakers. Still, if you're desperate for a list, they count.
- Echo Harp: This is a specific type of harmonica made by Hohner. It’s got a distinctive tremolo sound.
- Endingidi: A one-stringed fiddle from Uganda. Very similar to the Ektara in spirit but played with a bow.
How to Choose an "E" Instrument to Learn
If you’re looking to actually pick up one of these musical instruments that start with an E, your path depends on your patience level.
For the Instant Gratification Seeker:
Go with the Electric Guitar. You can learn three chords (G, C, and D) in an afternoon and play about a thousand songs. Plus, the barrier to entry is low. You can get a decent starter pack for a couple hundred bucks.
For the Disciplined Soul:
Try the Euphonium. You’ll need to learn how to buzz your lips and read bass clef. It’s a workout for your lungs, but the community of brass players is incredibly welcoming. You’ll never be out of work—community bands are always looking for euphonium players.
For the Adventurous Artist:
The Erhu. It is frustrating. It will sound like a dying cat for the first six months. But once you get that vibrato down? It’s the most expressive thing on the planet. Just be prepared to explain what it is to every single person who sees you carrying the case.
Actionable Steps for Exploring E-Instruments
If you want to dive deeper into this world, don't just read about them. Listen to them.
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- Search for "Erhu solos" on YouTube. Look for performers like Jia Peng Fang. It’ll change how you think about string instruments.
- Listen to "The Swan of Tuonela" by Sibelius. This is the quintessential English Horn piece. It’s haunting and dark.
- Check out the EWI in action. Look up Michael Brecker’s live solos from the 80s and 90s. It looks like a plastic toy, but he plays it like a god.
- Visit a local museum of musical instruments. Most major cities have them (like the MIM in Phoenix or the MET in New York). Look for the "E" section in the archives. You'll find zithers and lutes you've never heard of.
- Experiment with VSTs. If you’re a producer, look for "World Instrument" plugins that include the Erhu or Ektara. Try mapping them to a keyboard to see how the scales work differently than Western music.
The world of musical instruments that start with an E is a weird mix of high-voltage innovation and ancient tradition. Whether you’re plugging into a Marshall stack or bowing a two-stringed piece of wood in a park, these instruments carry the same goal: making people feel something. Don't let the alphabet limit your ears. There is a whole world of sound hidden behind that one letter.