The instruments produced for performing music are directly linked to the culturalcharacteristics of the society that produces them. Music is, after all, a culture ofexpression. In order to musically express its cultural characteristics, almost everysociety throughout history – depending on temporal and environmentaladaptations – has manufactured musical instruments that are based on its valuesand preferences and are from various materials, shapes and timbres. In effect, themusical instruments belonging to different societies vary in many aspects and areplaced and perceived in a unique way in each society. This paper will discuss howmusical instruments are placed and perceived within the Turkish culture ascomponents of cultural expression.