Microtonal instruments are musical instruments that can produce pitches outside the standard twelve-tone equal temperament system. This system divides an octave into twelve equal parts, but microtonal instruments allow for smaller intervals, enabling musicians to explore a wider range of sounds and scales. Examples include the oud, sitar, and various types of flutes that can be tuned to specific microtonal scales. These instruments are often used in various musical traditions around the world, such as Indian classical music and Middle Eastern music. Microtonal music can create unique emotional expressions and textures, offering composers and performers new creative possibilities.