Chordophone

Sweeping across multiple strings (e.g., banjo, guitar). The Five Main Types

A simple string stretched between two ends of a flexible stick. Berimbau, Ancient Bows ⏳ Historical Context chordophone

💡 Every instrument you play by vibrating a string—from a massive concert grand piano to a tiny ukulele—is technically a chordophone . 2,000-year-old stringed instrument uncovered in Vietnam Sweeping across multiple strings (e

While Western traditions often group these as the "string family," the chordophone designation is more inclusive, covering global instruments like the Chinese , the Spanish vihuela , and the Ukrainian bandura . Methods of Sound Production

When a string is disturbed, it vibrates at a specific frequency to create a pitch. This sound is usually quiet on its own, so most chordophones use a —typically a hollow wooden body—to amplify the sound waves. Methods of Sound Production