Music in the World of Avatar

Music is an important cultural aspect for all the nations in the Avatar World. A variety of musical instruments are played such as the Tsungi Horn and Pipa as well as a variety of songs. People from all the nations enjoy playing music and is a principle source of entertainment.

Songs
Songs are a traditional and cultural part of the World of Avatar. The songs heard in the episodes are often integrated into the plot lines to provide some humor, and in Sokka's case, comic relief. Some of the Four Nations' songs are ancient and passed down through the generations, while others are simply popular folk songs. It is hard to tell whether or not each culture has its own distinct folk songs, as the ones performed in the series were either in the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom. Songs are the most commonly seen musical compositions in the Four Nations, much more common than full orchestral pieces. These seem to be mostly folk songs that are easy to enjoy and understand, making them easier to remember for those traveling place to place.

Tsungi Horn
The Tsungi Horn is a musical instrument used in the traditional music of the Four Nations. The curved and highly polished horn is cast from metal and is believed to have originated in the Fire Nation. Zuko and his uncle, Iroh, are known to be good players. Aang played the Tsungi Horn at the music class in the episode "The Headband," although it is evident that he is not a good Tsungi Hornist.

Pipa


The pipa is plucked instrument with a pear-shaped body, played similarly to a lute. It has 4-5 silk stings, and 5-30 frets, depending on the region in which it is made. These differences give the instrument a vast range of sounds.

Yueqin
The yueqin (Chinese: 月琴, yuèqín) is a plucked instrument with a circular body and four strings that, similar to a mandolin, are tuned in courses of two. When a badgermole knocks Chong's instrument out of his hands, he grabs a yueqin from under his robe.

Zheng
The zheng (Chinese: 箏, zhēng),, also called the guzheng, is a plucked, zither-like instrument. It has movable bridges and 15-25 strings, allowing the player to customize its sound.

Erhu
The erhu (Chinese: 二胡, èr hú), also known as the Chinese fiddle, is a two-stringed instrument played with a bow. It consists of a long, thin neck with tuning pegs at the top and a resonated at the base. It is commonly played in the Fire Nation.

Flute
The flute is a reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air against an edge. It is played in the Fire Nation and in the Earth Kingdom. In the Avatar World, it is classified as a woodwind

Drum
The drum consists of one membrane, that is stretched over a shell and struck, directly with parts of a player's body. It is played in the Northern Water Tribe, the Fire Nation and in the Earth Kingdom.

Djembe
The Djembe is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and is meant to be played with bare hands. The Djembe can make different types of sounds, depending on the area of the skin which is hit, and whether the user uses their hand, palm, or fingers.

Morin Khuur
The morin khuur is a bowed instrument that has a horse's head on it. It produces a sound much like a horse neighing or a breeze blowing. The Flame-yos use this instrument.

Chong and Lily
Chong is an easy-going nomad who travels with his wife, Lily, and a few other companions around the world, playing songs and telling stories. He is commonly heard playing love songs.

Fire Nation Music Teacher
Not much is known about him, other than the fact that he is the music teacher at the Fire Nation School, and he hates dancing, like all Fire Nation teachers.

The Flamey-Os
This young Fire Nation band plays several instruments. Although, their only appearance is in The Headband, the audio commentary suggests (albeit jokingly) that the Flamey-Os played at Chan's party in "The Beach" and that "word spread after that cave party" probably because the music is the same. The band's members are school-aged kids who dream of touring the world.

Iroh
Iroh is a very good musician, notably a gifted Tsungi Horn player. He put forward the concept of music night on Zuko's ship to keep the crew entertained and to raise moral.

Zuko
Zuko has been mentioned in The Waterbending Master and The Blue Spirit to be a talented Tsungi Horn player, but it is strongly hinted that it's not his favorite instrument.