A variety of musical instruments contribute to the rich diversity of salsa music.

Many of these instruments are well known in Western music today and are relatively "modern". These would include stringed instruments such as the violin and cello; brass instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone; and others like the piano. These instruments are not described here since there is a wealth of excellent descriptions elsewhere.

However, other musical instruments typically used in the various genres of salsa music may not be as well known. A few of these instruments are highlighted here so that the descriptions of the artists that use them and the genres they play can be better appreciated.

Bongos
Bongo is the term for a variety of small drums, derived from African roots, most likely in Cuba around 1900. It consists of a pair of unequal sized small drums that are joined together. The smaller drum is called the 'male', or minor drum, while the larger is the female' or major drum. more...