How Does a String Instrument Produce Sound?
Producing Sound Stringed instruments produce sound when their strings are caused to vibrate. The strings can be plucked, bowed or struck, depending upon the instrument. Keyed instruments, such as the piano or harpsichord, are composed of a series of hidden strings that are struck by small hammers when the appropriate key is pressed, which results in a clear, ringing sound with bright overtones. Instruments such as the cello or violin can be bowed to produce sustained notes or plucked to produce shorter pizzicato notes, depending upon the piece. The guitar and similar instruments are generally plucked, either by a musician’s fingers or by a pick. Stringed instruments are chordophones, which means they are generally capable of producing a full chord independently. Resonance The sound produced by an unamplified stringed instrument is minimal and generally inaudible in concert or orchestral settings. To remedy this, different cultures have produced different methods of amplifying the sound
