Musical instrument - Revision history

JASON10668: Add languages template.

2026-03-25T08:52:24Z

Add languages template.

Nethacker: /* Identification */ this part is already written

2025-11-23T05:28:46Z

‎Identification: this part is already written

Nethacker: /* If blind */ style

2025-11-22T17:46:56Z

‎If blind: style

Nethacker: /* In a shop */

2025-11-22T17:43:11Z

‎In a shop

Nethacker: /* Horns */ removed the link

2025-11-22T17:40:26Z

‎Horns: removed the link

Nethacker: identifying

2025-11-22T17:39:05Z

identifying

Darth l33t: added tin whistle

2023-04-11T18:19:17Z

added tin whistle

Infinigon: add messages

2021-01-18T20:36:35Z

add messages

Ardub23: Added info on instrument behavior when impaired

2020-06-08T05:18:20Z

Added info on instrument behavior when impaired

Kufat at 01:32, 24 December 2018

2018-12-24T01:32:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:52, 25 March 2026
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		+	{{languages}}
	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
	'''Musical instruments''' are [[tool]]s that can be [[applied]] to produce music, causing some sort of effect. Instruments in ''[[NetHack]]'' fall into two categories: ''[[tonal instrument]]s'', which can play tunes (including the [[passtune]]), and ''[[atonal instrument]]s'', which cannot.		'''Musical instruments''' are [[tool]]s that can be [[applied]] to produce music, causing some sort of effect. Instruments in ''[[NetHack]]'' fall into two categories: ''[[tonal instrument]]s'', which can play tunes (including the [[passtune]]), and ''[[atonal instrument]]s'', which cannot.

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 == Identification ==
-=== Whistles ===
+''See [[Tool#Identification|Identification of tools]].''
 ==Messages==

@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 ==== If blind ====
-If you need to identify a horn while blind, keep in mind that unicorn horn also feels as a horn.  If you killed unicorn, the horn it left is always uncursed unicorn horn. Unicorn horns are not randomly generated, so the only other way to find a unicorn horn is [[bones]].  Their price is at least 100 zm, so you can price identify them.
+If you need to identify a horn while blind, keep in mind that unicorn horn also appears as a horn in this case.  If you kill a unicorn, the horn it leaves is always uncursed unicorn horn. Unicorn horns are not randomly generated, so the only other way to find a unicorn horn is [[bones]].  They cost at least 100 zm, so you can price identify them.
 === Harps ===

@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 ==== In a shop ====
-First, use price identification to rule out a tooled horn. If it is not tooled, purchase it and identify it outside the shop, as all three are useful.  You cannot use any of the three without paying a usage charge.
+First, use price identification to rule out a tooled horn. If it is not a tooled horn, purchase it and identify it outside the shop, as all three magic horns are useful.  You may identify it before a purchase, but be careful not to hit a shopkeeper or yourself, and be ready to pay usage charge.
 ==== If blind ====

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 Make sure you are not blind. A [[horn]] may be any of the following: [[tooled horn]], [[fire horn]], [[frost horn]], or [[horn of plenty]]. Stand on a square where you can safely emit fire or frost, apply the horn.  If prompted if you want to improvise, answer yes.
-A fire horn or frost horn with charges will ask for a direction, emit a [[ray of fire]] or [[ray of frost]], and identify itself.
+A fire horn or frost horn with charges will ask for a direction, emit a ray of fire or ray of frost, and identify itself.
 A horn of plenty with charges will create a comestible or sometimes a potion, and identify itself.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 22 November 2025
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	A [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].		A [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].
		+
		+	== Identification ==
		+
		+	=== Whistles ===
		+
		+	To identify a [[whistle]], just apply it. If the message contains any of the words "strange", "normal", "high-pitched", "high-frequency" (not just "high"), then it is a magic whistle. Otherwise, it is a tin whistle.
		+
		+	Note that a tin whistle wakes nearby monsters, and scares some of them. A cursed magic whistle may do the same.
		+
		+	Whistles can be used infinite number of times, so you can freely apply one even if it belongs to a shop.
		+
		+	[[Watchmen]] have a {{frac\|2\|3}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory\|being generated with]] a tin whistle, and never get a magic whistle. [[Vault]] [[guard]]s are always generated with a cursed tin whistle.
		+
		+	=== Horns ===
		+
		+	Make sure you are not blind. A [[horn]] may be any of the following: [[tooled horn]], [[fire horn]], [[frost horn]], or [[horn of plenty]]. Stand on a square where you can safely emit fire or frost, apply the horn. If prompted if you want to improvise, answer yes.
		+
		+	A fire horn or frost horn with charges will ask for a direction, emit a [[ray of fire]] or [[ray of frost]], and identify itself.
		+
		+	A horn of plenty with charges will create a comestible or sometimes a potion, and identify itself.
		+
		+	A horn of plenty without charges will produce the message "Nothing happens".
		+
		+	A tooled horn produces "a frightful, grave sound", wakes up nearby monsters and scares some of them. If you are deaf, the message will be "You blow into the horn".
		+
		+	A fire horn or frost horn without charges behaves identically to a tooled horn, but you can differ them by price identification.
		+
		+	==== Price identification ====
		+
		+	A tooled horn costs $18, while three other horns cost $50.
		+
		+	==== In a shop ====
		+
		+	First, use price identification to rule out a tooled horn. If it is not tooled, purchase it and identify it outside the shop, as all three are useful. You cannot use any of the three without paying a usage charge.
		+
		+	==== If blind ====
		+
		+	If you need to identify a horn while blind, keep in mind that unicorn horn also feels as a horn. If you killed unicorn, the horn it left is always uncursed unicorn horn. Unicorn horns are not randomly generated, so the only other way to find a unicorn horn is [[bones]]. Their price is at least 100 zm, so you can price identify them.
		+
		+	=== Harps ===
		+
		+	A [[harp]] is either a [[magic harp]] or a [[wooden harp]].
		+
		+	A magic harp with charges, if improvising, produces "attractive music" or "very soothing vibrations". Anything else, including "soothing vibrations" (without "very") is a wooden harp.
		+
		+	A magic harp without charges behaves identically to a wooden harp, so you cannot distinguish between them.
		+
		+	You cannot price identify harps.
		+
		+	=== Flutes ===
		+
		+	A [[flute]] is either a [[magic flute]] or a [[wooden flute]].
		+
		+	Their prices are 36 zm (magic flute) and 12 zm (wooden flute), so you can price identify them.
		+
		+	A magic flute with charges produces "soft" or "piped" music. A wooden flute just "twangs" or "toots".
		+
		+	A magic flute without charges behaves identically to a wooden flute.
		+
		+	=== Drums ===
		+
		+	A [[drum]] is either [[drum of earthquake]] or a [[leather drum]].
		+
		+	You cannot price identify drums.
		+
		+	You can identify them by applying, but their effects, especially of the drum of eathquakes, are serious, so use with caution.

	==Messages==		==Messages==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 '''Musical instruments''' are [[tool]]s that can be [[applied]] to produce music, causing some sort of effect. Instruments in ''[[NetHack]]'' fall into two categories: ''[[tonal instrument]]s'', which can play tunes (including the [[passtune]]), and ''[[atonal instrument]]s'', which cannot.
-Some instruments are magical&mdash;they have effects beyond what their ordinary equivalent would yield. When they are uncharged, they behave identically to that equivalent. Every non-magical musical instrument except the [[bugle]] has at least one magical counterpart. Elven Priests and Wizards start with a non-magical musical instrument.
+Some instruments are magical&mdash;they have effects beyond what their ordinary equivalent would yield. When they are uncharged, they behave identically to that equivalent. Every non-magical musical instrument except the [[bugle]] has at least one magical counterpart. [[elf_(starting race)|Elven]] [[Priest]]s and [[Wizard]]s start with a non-magical musical instrument, excluding the tin whistle.
-If you are [[stun]]ned, [[confused]], or [[hallucinating]], you cannot play tunes with any instrument; you will always improvise when playing a tonal instrument.{{refsrc|src/music.c|700|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Also, if you are stunned or confused, magical instruments (except the Bell of Opening{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3681|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Bells call <code>use_bell()</code>, not <code>do_play_instrument()</code> like other instruments.}}) behave like their non-magical counterparts and do not consume charges when used.{{refsrc|src/music.c|481|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
+If you are [[stun]]ned, [[confused]], or [[hallucinating]], you cannot play tunes with any instrument; you will always improvise when playing a tonal instrument.{{refsrc|src/music.c|700|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Also, if you are stunned or confused, magical instruments (except the magic whistle and Bell of Opening{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3681|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Bells call <code>use_bell()</code>, not <code>do_play_instrument()</code> like other instruments.}}) behave like their non-magical counterparts and do not consume charges when used.{{refsrc|src/music.c|481|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
 {|class="prettytable sortable"
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 |-
 ! [[leather drum]]
                      | Atonal || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
@@ Line 44: / Line 47: @@
 ! [[drum of earthquake]]
                      | Atonal || leather drum
 |}

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:36, 18 January 2021
Line 47:		Line 47:

	A [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].		A [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].
		+
		+	==Messages==
		+
		+	{{message\|You start playing <instrument>.\|You improvised with a tonal instrument, or played an atonal instrument. This message is usually followed by other instrument-specific messages or effects.}}
		+	{{message\|You radiate an obnoxious droning sound.\|As above, but you were stunned.}}
		+	{{message\|You feel a monotonous vibration.\|As above, but you were both stunned and deaf.}}
		+	{{message\|You generate a raucous noise.\|As above, but you were confused.}}
		+	{{message\|You feel a jarring vibration.\|As above, but you were both confused and deaf.}}
		+	{{message\|You disseminate a kaleidoscopic display of floating butterflies.\|As above, but you were hallucinating. (You get this even if you're deaf.)}}
		+	{{message\|What you perform is quite far from music...\|As above, but you were some combination of stunned, confused and hallucinating. (You get this even if you're deaf.)}}

	== References ==		== References ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{stub}}
-There are two overall categories of '''musical instrument''' in [[NetHack]]: ''[[tonal instrument]]s'', which are capable of playing tunes (especially the [[passtune]]), and ''[[atonal instrument]]s''.  Both types of instrument have an effect that results when they are applied.  Some instruments may not work if you are [[confused]], instead you will get a message that "What you produce is quite far from music..."
+'''Musical instruments''' are [[tool]]s that can be [[applied]] to produce music, causing some sort of effect. Instruments in ''[[NetHack]]'' fall into two categories: ''[[tonal instrument]]s'', which can play tunes (including the [[passtune]]), and ''[[atonal instrument]]s'', which cannot.
-Some instruments are magical - they have effects beyond what their ordinary equivalent would yield. When they are uncharged, they behave identically to that equivalent. Every non-magical musical instrument except the [[bugle]] has at least one magical counterpart. Elven priests and wizards start with a non-magical musical instrument.
+Some instruments are magical&mdash;they have effects beyond what their ordinary equivalent would yield. When they are uncharged, they behave identically to that equivalent. Every non-magical musical instrument except the [[bugle]] has at least one magical counterpart. Elven Priests and Wizards start with a non-magical musical instrument.
-{|class="prettytable"
+If you are [[stun]]ned, [[confused]], or [[hallucinating]], you cannot play tunes with any instrument; you will always improvise when playing a tonal instrument.{{refsrc|src/music.c|700|version=NetHack 3.6.6}} Also, if you are stunned or confused, magical instruments (except the Bell of Opening{{refsrc|src/apply.c|3681|version=NetHack 3.6.6|comment=Bells call <code>use_bell()</code>, not <code>do_play_instrument()</code> like other instruments.}}) behave like their non-magical counterparts and do not consume charges when used.{{refsrc|src/music.c|481|version=NetHack 3.6.6}}
 ! Instrument       || Type   || Non-magical equivalent
 |-
 ! [[tooled horn]]
-                     | Tonal  || (non-magical)
+                     | Tonal  || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[wooden flute]]
-                     | Tonal  || (non-magical)
+                     | Tonal  || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[wooden harp]]
-                     | Tonal  || (non-magical)
+                     | Tonal  || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[bugle]]
-                     | Tonal  || (non-magical)
+                     | Tonal  || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[frost horn]]
@@ Line 30: / Line 32: @@
 ! [[magic harp]]
                      | Tonal  || wooden harp
 |-
 ! [[bell]]
-                     | Atonal || (non-magical)
+                     | Atonal || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[leather drum]]
-                     | Atonal || (non-magical)
+                     | Atonal || ''(non-magical)''
 |-
 ! [[Bell of Opening]]
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 |}
-Note that a [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].
+A [[horn of plenty]] is not an instrument at all, even though its unidentified appearance is that of a [[horn]].
 [[Category:Musical instruments| ]]
-{{nethack-343}}
+{{nethack-364}}