On festive occasions the lyre was preferred, or a mixed band with a variety of instruments.

In the quiet of domestic life the monarch and his sultana were entertained with concerted music played by a large number of performers: while in processions and pageants, whether of a civil or of a military character, bands were also very generally employed, consisting of two, three, four, five, or possibly more, musicians.

Cymbals, the tambourine, and the instrument which has been above regarded as a sort of rattle, were peculiar to these processional occasions: the harp, the lyre, and the double pipe had likewise a place in them.
In actual war, it would appear that music was employed very sparingly, if at all, by the Assyrians.

No musicians are ever represented in the battle-scenes: nor are the troops accompanied by any when upon the march.

Musicians are only seen conjoined with troops in one or two marching processions, apparently of a triumphal character.