Wired Instruments.  The ancient Egyptians used wind instruments as early as the Old Kingdom (2650 - 2152 BC) Instruments such as flutes, parallel double-pipes (like the modern Egyptian folk clarinet) and divergent double-pipes (like modern oboes) were at first made of reeds. These were later made of bronze with one or two playing reeds in the mouthpiece.

Trumpets, like the ones found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, were more complicated. They were made from silver and bronze, with mouthpieces of silver or gold. The sound depended on vibrations produced by the musician's lips instead of reeds. They were mainly for military use.

Although made of wood covered with metal, this Nigerian instrument is similar to the ancient Egyptian trumpets. The Sudanese Oliphant is made from an elephant's tusk. Unlike a modern trumpet, it does not have any valves.