String Instrument Information
While there are many different instruments that make up the string family, they can all be broken into three distinct categories. One type of string instrument is bowed, another is plucked and the final one is hammered. Knowing some information about the entire string instrument family is important to understanding any single string instrument.
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History
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Although there are some biblical references to string instruments, the earliest known string instruments appeared in the fifteenth century and were referred to as viols (treble, alto, tenor and bass). The viols would later be developed into violins, violas, cellos and basses.
Bowed Instruments
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Bowed string instruments include the violin, viola, cello and bass. These instruments are often used in orchestral and chamber works, and are played by drawing a bow (long wand-like device constructed of wood and natural or synthetic hair) across a set of strings.
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Plucked Instruments
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Plucked string Instruments include the guitar, banjo, mandolin, sitar and harp. These instruments are played by plucking the strings with a pick or the performer's fingers.
Hammered Instruments
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The primary member of the hammered string instrument category is the piano. Although sometimes overlooked as a string instrument, the piano is played by pressing keys that cause hammers to strike strings within the piano.
Sound Production
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While the instruments may look different, the way in which they produce sound is the same. When a string is manipulated into vibrating by bowing, plucking or striking it, the sound made by this vibration is amplified by the hollow part of the instrument or by an electronic amplifier.
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