What is a musical instrument?

Abstract

In this paper, the concept of ‘musical instrument’ is explored, and it is shown that the concept is quite difficult to define in a precise way. Some existing definitions are discussed in relation to different themes, such as how to define the limits of the instrument object in relation to other objects and to the performer, and how to handle the relation between object and agent. Instead of offering new definitions of the concept of instrument, it is argued that different perspectives and interests call for different definitions. Finally, an alternative perspective inspired by the perception-action-loop concept is introduced.