instrumentation

[in-struh-men-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the arranging of music for instruments, especially for an orchestra.

2. the list of instruments for which a composition is scored.

3. the use of, or work done by, instruments.

4. instrumental agency; instrumentality.

5. the science of developing, manufacturing, and utilizing instruments, especially those used in science and industry.

instrumentation

/ ˌɪnstrəmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the instruments specified in a musical score or arrangement

2. the arrangement of a piece of music for an orchestra; orchestration

3. the study of the characteristics of musical instruments

4. the use of instruments or tools

5. means; agency

Word History and Origins

Origin of instrumentation¹

1835–45; instrument (v.) + -ation

Example Sentences

There’s no banjo, slide, or pedal-steel guitar here, and the arrangements zero in on simplicity, conveying harmonic structure and mood with only essential instrumentation, which keeps the emphasis on the songwriting.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Composed of icy club beats and steadfast synthetics, she describes the album as “sonically concise,” in that she intentionally used limited instrumentation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He tends to favor spare instrumentation, drawing the ear to his husky voice and often wrenching lyrics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Hard Headed Woman” places Price back on firmer grounding — chiefly, her love for country songwriting and instrumentation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is no accident that the most nominated songs on “DTMF” nominated for awards are those with live instrumentation and more “traditional” sounds like salsa, while the reggaetón producers who helped create them are not.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apparatus 
• instrument