Experts warn that prolonged exposure to noises over 70 decibels can cause hearing loss, and sounds at 120 decibels can damage your ears straight away. So what do you do with the knowledge that there are instruments that can reach over 120 decibels? Easy, you take stock of what they are, and remember to be a little bit more cautious around them!
In this article, we’ll cover nine of the loudest instruments in the world. Be sure to take notes and pack earplugs next time you head somewhere with one of the following musical gizmos!
Pipe Organ
If you’ve ever seen a pipe organ, you won’t be at all surprised to learn just how loud they are. These are massive, ornate instruments, and the noise they produce can quite literally be deafening.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the loudest instrument in the entire world is the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ. Built by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company, this behemoth of an instrument lives in the Main Auditorium of the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The organ is made up of a mind-melting 33,112 pipes, 7 keyboards, 1,439 keys, 221,284 km of wire, and 68,580 m of lumber. At its loudest, it’s six times more noisy than a steam train’s whistle.
Trombone
The trumpet and trombone are usually the loudest instruments in an orchestra! In a performance, the trumpet can range between 80 and 110 decibels, while the trombone can exceed 115 decibels quite easily. If you’re planning to play trombone for a living, we can’t stress enough that you need to invest in ear plugs to protect your hearing.
Electric Guitar
This one maybe feels a little bit like cheating since an electric guitar is only really as loud as the amplifier it’s plugged into but in terms of the instrument responsible for causing the most ear damage to concert and festival attendees? Well, the finger must be pointed at this classic rock ‘n roll staple.
One of the loudest electric guitars ever played on record was during The Who’s Wembley show on May 31, 1976. The guitar reached a whopping 126 decibels! No wonder frontman Pete Townshend is almost completely deaf these days.
Bagpipes
While bagpipes might look harmless, they pack a punch. This historic instrument is capable of exceeding 120 decibels - loud enough to cause immediate hearing damage. While you’re unlikely to cross paths with bagpipes often, be prepared for a racket if/when you do.
Clarinet
Like the bagpipes, the clarinet can be deceptive. It’s actually one of the loudest woodwind instruments by some distance and can reach anywhere between 85 to 114 decibels when played at its loudest. Be careful!
Cello
The cello may have a reputation for producing some seriously smooth, deep sounds, but it can quickly get very loud. If played with enough force, the cello can produce noises of up to 111 decibels. There are also electric cellos, which can of course get even louder!
Timpani
While the vast majority of percussion instruments are infamous for being very loud, the timpani (or kettle drums) is among the loudest of them all. The timpani evolved from military drums over the years and eventually became a staple of the classical orchestra. It’s an instrument that’s used to really punctuate pieces of music, so no wonder it can reach over 100 decibels!
French Horn
This particular member of the brass family sits somewhere between the trumpet and trombone in terms of pure noise produced. The French horn can hit anywhere between 90 to 106 decibels and is always guaranteed to stand out in an orchestra or ensemble.
Flute
Perhaps the most surprising entry on this list is the flute, an instrument so small and unassuming that even we’re amazed it can make the sounds it makes. The reason the flute can compete with massive instruments like the timpani and cello is because of the higher pitches it’s capable of. Those piercing higher notes can reach up to 103 decibels!
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- If you are looking to get started on your musical journey, check out our How to Play section for guides to some of those loud instruments like trumpet and trombone!
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