chordophone
Vibrating-filament sound source
A chordophone is a musical instrument that produces sound through vibrating strings.
The category includes guitars, violins, harps, pianos, and banjos—any instrument where stretched strings are plucked, bowed, struck, or otherwise set in motion.
The term belongs to formal musical classification rather than everyday speech.
Fretted stringed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
- lutePear-bodied fretted strings
- sitarIndian plucked lute
kora · banjo · ukulele · viola · bass · zither · dulcimer · balalaika
Science of categorical arrangement
- zitherFlat stringed instrument, played horizontally
- lutePear-bodied fretted strings
- lyreSmall plucked string instrument
- subcategorySubdivision of classification
typology · ethnomusicology · simple · composite · struck · plucked · bowed
Stringed instrument craftsperson
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- nutHard-shelled seed
- saddleMounted rider's seat
fretboard · fingerboard · pegbox · tailpiece · tuning peg · f-hole · soundhole · tonewood
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- timbreSound's distinctive character
sustain · projection · overtones · harmonics · fundamental · pitch · frequency · amplitude
guitar
Fretted stringed instrument
sitar · kora · banjo · ukulele · viola · bass · zither · dulcimer · balalaika · oud
taxonomy
Science of categorical arrangement
- zitherFlat stringed instrument, played horizontally
- lutePear-bodied fretted strings
- lyreSmall plucked string instrument
subcategory · typology · ethnomusicology · simple · composite · struck · plucked · bowed
luthier
Stringed instrument craftsperson
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- nutHard-shelled seed
saddle · fretboard · fingerboard · pegbox · tailpiece · tuning peg · f-hole · soundhole · tonewood · body
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
timbre · sustain · projection · overtones · harmonics · fundamental · pitch · frequency · amplitude · waveform
gut
Digestive tract, or instinct
wound · gauge · tension · horsehair · bow · rosin · plectrum · pick · fingerpicking · strumming
strumming
Sweeping across guitar strings
- pluckingRemoving by tugging
- bowingBending forward in deference
- fingerpickingPlucking strings by hand
fretting · pizzicato · tremolo · vibrato · glissando · hammer-on · pull-off · slide · bend · capo
chordophonedrum
Struck percussion cylinder
flute · trumpet · percussion instrument · wind instrument · brass instrument
harp, symphony, chord, phonograph, mandolin, harpsichord, autoharp, polychord