In string instruments, the importance of wood is for soundboards, which serve to transmit and radiate the vibration of a string, and act as a moderator that provides colour to the tone. In wind instruments, dimensional or moisture stability plays an important role.

Soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass clarinet. Oboes, violin, cello, viola, bass, guitars, many Orff instruments are 95% wood. Marimbas, bongos, timbales, klavas, glockenspiel from before the 1940's. Drum sticks are typically made of wood and are considered a “striker” of another instrument.