A musical instrument is a device. 1. A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make animal sounds. 2. The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture. 3. Cultures eventually developed composition and performance of melodies for entertainment. 4. The oldest object that some scholars refer is a piano. 5. The oldest object that some scholars refer to as a musical instrument dates back as far as 97, 000 years.