Instruments of the Legend of Zelda Series

Instruments occur regularly throughout The Legend of Zelda series.

Woodwind Instruments
The most frequently occurring and most notable woodwind instrument in the Zelda series is the Ocarina. This includes the Bone Ocarina, the Fairy Ocarina, the Ocarina of Wind and most importantly, the Ocarina of Time. Of these, only the Fairy Ocarina and the Ocarina of Time are actually played note by note under Link's control, using the four C-Buttons and the A Button.

Other woodwind instruments include various Flutes, such as the Recorder, the Strange Flute and the Spirit Flute (also known as the Spirit Pipes). Once again, only the Spirit Flute can be played note by note, using the touch screen and microphone of the Nintendo DS. The Pipes of Awakening are also a woodwind instrument, though they are a transformation of the Ocarina of Time, activated when Link dons the Deku Mask.

The Horse Call and the Grass Whistles from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess maybe also be considered woodwind instruments, as well as the Howling Stones, though it is Wolf Link's vocals that are played here.

String Instruments
There are many string instruments which feature in the Zelda series, many that play a major role in the quest.

The first to appear was Sheik's Harp, which was played only by Sheik to teach Link warping songs.

Later, during the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, two string instruments were wielded by the Sages of Earth & Wind. The first was Medli's Harp which resembles a golden Lyre, while the second was Makar's Violin, which resembled a Cello crafted from a large leaf, due to Makar's size. Again, these two instruments were to be played by NPCs alongside Link.

The Harp of Ages was next to come, which was the first string instrument to be played by Link. There are three possible songs to be played on it, all of which allow Link to travel through time in a similar way to the Ocarina of Time.

Most recently was the appearance of the Goddess's Harp in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which was first owned by Zelda as a descendant of the Goddess, Hylia. However, Link did eventually claim it and used it to play various songs which would open the gates to the Silent Realms. It is played by swinging the Wiimote in time with a tempo or beat, using the Nintendo Wii Motion Plus controls. This harp is supposedly the same harp that Sheik used later on during The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

The Guitar of Waves is also a string instrument, but again, it is simply a transformation of the Ocarina of time, activated when Link dons the Zora Mask.

Percussion Instruments
The only percussion instrument played in the Zelda series are the Drums of Sleep, though these are a transformation of the Ocarina of Time activated when Link dons the Goron Mask. However, various Gongs are seen throughout the series, including within the Swordsman's School. Link can strike these with his sword and they will sound one note.

Other Instruments
The Wind Waker is a vital instrument that resembles a Conductor's Baton. It can control the direction of the wind, as well as the passage of day and night and can even summon cyclones to carry Link around the Great Sea.

Various minor instruments are also featured in the series, such as the Happy Mask Salesman's Organ and the Music Box House. The Phonograph is also an item in the Oracle of Seasons Trading Sequence, as well as being featured frequently in houses (Guru-Guru carries one on his back).

Finally, vocals play a part in a few games, most prominently Wolf Link's Howl in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which can mimic the sounds of the Grass Whistles and Howling Stones. Fi also appears to sing along to the notes of the Goddess Harp each time Link plays a song.