Instrument Improv

A Mii playing the piano.

Instrument Improv is a game mode in Wii Music. This mode is intended for the player to experiment and try all of the instruments offered in the game before performing a Custom Jam.

Gameplay

Players can freely select and play instruments in Instrument Improv. They can switch between instruments using and . They can also view information about the instruments, view instructions on how to play the instrument during gameplay, and play the instrument with the Tutes. When playing with the Tutes, each band member slowly appears with a spotlight, playing their instrument part in a dark room. As the remaining band members are added, the room transforms into the Electro Stage, mimicking a typical Jam Session.

Instruments

There are 66 total instruments with 7 different instrument categories. These categories are Piano, Guitar, Trumpet, Flute, Violin, Percussion, and Others. Each instrument is given a category based on how the Wii Remote and Nunchuk are used during gameplay rather than giving accurate instrument categories. The NES Horn is the only instrument with a regional difference, as the Japanese version substitutes it with the Famicom Horn.

Instrument	Play category	Description	Availability
Piano	Piano	Eighty-eight keys make hammers strike separate strings inside a piano. But you only need to hammer your hands up and down to produce a wide range of notes!	Default
Galactic Piano	Piano	How could the rich range of the piano ever be topped? The galaxy's greatest engineers tackled this challenge and created this perfect piano just for you!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Toy Piano	Piano	Inside a toy piano, hammers strike metal rods instead of strings, making tinny noises. You'll still play it here like a piano: hammer away as if hitting keys!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Harpsichord	Piano	Harpsichords give a richer sound than pianos because their internal strings are plucked, not hammered. You'll still play it like a piano, so hammer away!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Harp	Piano	The harp is one of the oldest known instruments, and a concert harp has nearly 50 strings. You'll only need to make piano-playing motions, fortunately!	After playing all the tracks in Mii Maestro
Dulcimer	Piano	The dulcimer's strings, stretched over a sounding board, produce bright notes when struck with small mallets. You'll play it here with hammering movements!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Marimba	Piano	The marimba has dozens of wood bars that vibrate when hit with mallets. All you need to do to produce its rich range of sound is make mallet motions!	Default
Vibraphone	Piano	Metal tubes under metal keys give this percussion instrument its unique sound. Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuck like mallets to strike up a vibrating tune!	Default
Steel Drums	Piano	Made from an oil drum, this instrument is unlike most drums because it plays specific notes. But you can still play it here with simple hammering motions!	Default
Handbells	Piano	A handbell produces only one pitch, so a tune must be played by an ensemble. In Jam mode, however, you can play a range of notes with only two handbells!	After playing "O Christmas Tree" in Handbell Harmony
Dog Suit	Piano	Sometimes a dog bark beats the whole world of music for sheer enthusiasm. In Wii Music, you can add barking to your tunes by simply pawing the air!	Default
Cat Suit	Piano	Cats gave the world their high-pitched soprano voices long before the first opera. So, why not bring meowing into your music here? Simply paw to meow!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Timpani	Piano	These drums consist of a plastic skin over copper bowls. Concert musicians play several to make a few notes; your drumming will make a wider note range!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Rapper	Piano	Check it out, yo! The rhythm and rhymes of rapping have had a huge impact on modern music. To flow in some phrases, make drumming motions!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Acoustic Guitar	Guitar	An acoustic guitar isn't amped up, which is why it produces such sweet, folksy notes. You'll play it here with an equally folksy technique: simply strum!	Default
Ukulele	Guitar	Meaning "jumping flea" in Hawaiian, the ukulele is like a pint-sized guitar that's plucked and strummed. You'll play it just by strumming, though!	Default
Electric Guitar	Guitar	This guitar achieves its rock-god sound with an amp that converts string vibrations into electric signals. To play it here, use your "air guitar" techniques!	Default
Galactic Guitar	Guitar	Looking for a guitar that beats all the others for sheer sci-fi sound? The galaxy's best engineers created this one just for Wii Music!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Banjo	Guitar	Innovated from African instruments, the banjo has become famous for its use in bluegrass and country music You'll play it here by strumming "air banjo" style!	Default
Sitar	Guitar	The sitar has lent its exotic stringed sounds to India's musical landscape since the 14th century. You won't need the traditional metallic pick. Just strum!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Shamisen	Guitar	This instrument dates from Japan's Muromachi period (1333-1573). You won't need the traditional wood paddle to pluck its three strings: just strum.	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Jaw Harp	Guitar	The jaw harp is held in the teeth while the player plucks a reed and alters mouth position for different notes. You only need to strum--less complex!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Electric Bass	Guitar	The electric bass uses only four strings that play in a lower range than on electric guitar. This guitar is key for driving a band's rhythm, so strum away!	Default
Upright Bass	Guitar	If a violin bulked up and stood on its toes, it'd be the upright bass. Its strings can be played with a bow, but you'll play it by strumming!	Default
Galactic Bass	Guitar	How could the bass guitar play in outer space? The greatest engineers in the galaxy answered that question with this bass. It's a Wii Music exclusive!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Trumpet	Trumpet	This brass instrument usually has three valves players press while blowing. But you need only to press buttons to make its bright notes. No blowing necessary!	Default
Galactic Horn	Trumpet	Galactic engineers sought to create a horn that could sound pure in the deepest regions of space. And here it is in Wii Music, so enjoy its brilliant tones!	Default
Saxophone	Trumpet	Why is the brassy sax a "woodwind"? Because the player blows on a reed while fingering tone holes. But don't you waste your breath! Just press buttons.	Default
Clarinet	Trumpet	A warm-sounding woodwind, the clarinet makes sound as the player blows on its reed and uses 20-plus sound holes. But you'll make music by tootling buttons!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Recorder	Trumpet	The recorder is the woodwind that many beginners start with because it's easier to blow into to make nice notes. Still, Wii Music makes it even easier!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Accordion	Trumpet	This instrument is quite a handful, and player must squeeze it like a bellows while pressing keys and buttons on its sides. You'll need only to press buttons!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Bagpipe	Trumpet	The bagpipe's bag must be constantly refilled by blowing or using a bellows. In order to pipe, you won't need to wrestle with so much. Just use buttons!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
NES Horn (US & PAL) Famicom Horn (JP)	Trumpet	This instrument has been created by fusing the controller from Nintendo's first home console with a horn. You'll play it similarly...with button presses!	After beating Level 4 in Pitch Perfect
Singer	Trumpet	Cheerful doo-wop vocals were all the rage in the U.S. in the 1950s. It's such a lovely sound that it's come to Wii Music as "doo-Wii" singing!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Tuba	Trumpet	This brass instrument is up to 20 feet long when uncoiled! But you won't need to lug its weight around while blowing! Use buttons to play its weighty sounds!	Default
Flute	Flute	This side-held woodwind makes sound when the player blows across the mouthpiece and fingers sound-hole keys. Here, it's easier: press buttons!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Harmonica	Flute	A harmonica produces notes when the player blows through its many holes or sucks air through them. No huffing and puffing here: just press buttons.	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Violin	Violin	Violinists play this instrument, held under the chin, by running a bow over its strings while using the fingerboard. Here, however, you'll just play "air violin"!	Default
Cello	Violin	A stringed instrument like the violin, the cello produces a lower range and is usually played seated. In Wii Music, you'll simply use "air cello" motions to play!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Basic Drums	Percussion	This set covers a basic drum setup. It's great for putting a crisp, simple rhythm into your songs. It's simple to play, too. Just drum and press buttons!	Default
Rock Drums	Percussion	This set will put rock-god thunder into your band with its powerful bass drum. Simply drum to play it, or press buttons simultaneously to add precision sounds!	Default
Jazz Drums	Percussion	The set is customized to give songs a jazzy sound and an easygoing backbeat. It's easy enough to play, too: simply drum and, if you want, press buttons.	Default
Latin Drums	Percussion	The set is tailored to give songs that special Latin beat to really get the party started! Play it just like you would the other sets: drum away!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Reggae Drums	Percussion	The set is customized to give music that easygoing reggae beat. Put that spirit into your own jams just by drumming away!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Ballad Drums	Percussion	The set is tailored to put a slow groove into your shows, perfect for when you want to take it really easy. Play it by simply drumming...in smooth style.	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Galactic Drums	Percussion	What sort of drumming could thunder through the depths of space? The galaxy's best engineers created this drum set, then beamed it into Wii Music!	Default
Marching Snare	Percussion	This snare drum is often used in marching bands to keep both the crew and the song in tight formation! To drive the action, just drum!	Default
Bass Drum	Percussion	This drum is the big dog in a full drum set, but it can also be used on its own. Just drum to play this beast; press A while striking to hit the gong!	Default
Taiko Drum	Percussion	Use of this Japanese drum, mostly in traditional ceremonies, demands that drummers put power into their playing. Don't break a sweat here: drum away!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Congas	Percussion	This Cuban instrument gives such an infectious beat that it's become a big part of modern music. To play these skinny drums, simply pound the air!	Default
Galactic Congas	Percussion	The conga rhythm was so catchy that galactic engineers wanted to replicate the conga with a space-age sound. They created this instrument just for you!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Djembe Drum	Percussion	Played with the hands, the djembe is a traditional West African drum made of a goatskin stretched over a wood shell. Drum away to produce its rich sound!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Timbales	Percussion	Players of this Cuban drum really put this instrument through its paces, hittingits heads and rims! While you drum, press buttons to hit the rims, too!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Maracas	Percussion	Made from hollow gourds filled with beans, maracas add a crazy beat to mambo and salsa music, and all you have to do is shake-shake-shake!	Default
Tambourine	Percussion	This instrument is the perfect portable fusion of drums and cymbals! Shake the controllers to get a nice beat and rattle going, and hit buttons for fun effects!	Default
Bells	Percussion	You'll sometimes find a bell tree in an orchestra, and perhaps sleigh bells for holiday shows. Here you'll get both! Play them by making jingling motions!	Default
Castanets	Percussion	This traditional Spanish percussion instrument is widely used by flamenco dancers. You can put this snappy touch in songs by shaking your controllers!	Default
Cowbell	Percussion	The cowbell has traveled from the pastures to percussion, especially in Latin music. Here you'll tap out cowbell beats by playing "air cowbell"!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Hand Clap	Percussion	A kind of tap dancing with more kapow, this do-it-yourself percussion adds clapping and snapping. In Wii Music, you can do all three with simple controls!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Beatboxer	Percussion	Beatboxers don't need drums and tons of instruments when they can make sounds with mouths and mics! Here, easy controls make it all even simpler!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Black Belt	Percussion	This is not a traditional instrument, but why not throw some hi-YA chops into your music?	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Cheerleader	Percussion	"Go! Go! Win! Yeah!" When tubas just can't inspire a touchdown, nothing beats cheers from the sidelines! In Wii Music, wave your hands to cheer!	After creating one music video in Jam Session
Güiro	Others	Musicians play this hollowed-out gourd by rubbing a stick along notches cut into its side. It's a key instrument in Latin music, so have fun with it!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Cuíca	Others	The cuíca looks like a drum, but this crazy instrument is actually played by rubbing a stick hidden in its body. And in Wii Music, you'll make similar motions!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
Whistle	Others	Used in samba carnivals, this whistle has side holes that can be opened or closed to change the sound. Just push buttons to whistle up a storm!	After completing the Rock "Expand Your Style" lesson in Jam Mastery
DJ Turntables	Others	It's essential gear for dance clubs and discos, and now Wii Music gives you a DJ station, where you can spin and scratch with simple motions!	After completing the Rock "Learn Basic Style" lesson in Jam Mastery

Gallery

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  The player improvising with the Tutes

Wii Music