One of three principal families (with winds and percussion) in European classification. Sound is produced by plucking or drawing a bow across one or more strings held in tension. Pitch is adjusted by changing the length of strings, the tension, or both. Volume is increased by the use of a resonant air chamber, electronic amplification, or both.
Subcategories 29
Related categories 3
Sites 6
- Indian Stringed Instruments Pictures and descriptions of the stringed instruments of India.
- Traditional Chinese String Instruments Profile of Chinese traditional string instruments, including plucked strings, bowed strings, and hammered strings.
- Frets.com Includes large collection of articles about maintenance, repair, instrument making, and accessories for stringed instruments.
- John Thompson on the Guqin Silk String Zither Introduction to this Chinese instrument, with pictures, song lyrics and information on its place in Chinese culture.
- Cümbüş Means Fun A history of a Turkish folk instrument, now more popular in America and Europe. It combined features of the oud and the banjo; unusually, it has interchangeable necks.
- Susso, Seikou Gambian kora player, now based in Leeds, UK; includes his profile, performances, educational activities, and background on the griot traditions of West Africa.