Graduate studies and a career in research and/or teaching in acoustics are often the result of an interest in acoustics started with the playing of a musical instrument. In teaching and research, there is a need for the application of acoustic theory to real sources, which often cannot be treated effectively with academic idealizations. Taking advantage of the interest in and familiarity with musical instruments possessed by most students in acoustics, and the need for application of acoustic theory to real sources, a course in the acoustics of musical instruments has been developed for graduate students in acoustics. This source is not a course in musical acoustics designed for musicians. Acoustic theory and mathematical models are applied to the analyses of the mechanisms of sound generation and radiation by musical instruments. A description of and philosophy behind this course are presented. The instruments treated are discussed. The principles revealed by each instrument are outlined.