Enhance your string musical instrument knowledge with our educational guides and resources. Instrument history, players, composers and compositions.
What is a Gittern Instrument? The Gittern is a historical string instrument from the Middle Ages, often considered a precursor to modern lutes and guitars. It was a small, pear-shaped instrument made from a single piece of wood and had…
The Guitarra de Golpe is a traditional Mexican string instrument known for its rhythmic, percussive sound and distinctive design. It typically has five strings and is played with a plectrum or fingers.
Leona Instrument Summary The Leona guitar is a traditional Mexican string instrument known for its deep, resonant sound and large body. It typically has four or five strings and is played with a plectrum or fingers. The leona is a…
Requinto Instrument Summary The Requinto is a traditional Mexican string guitar instrument, known for its bright, clear sound and smaller size compared to a standard guitar. It typically has six nylon strings and is played with a plectrum or fingers.…
What is a Guitarrón Instrument? The Guitarrón is a traditional Mexican string instrument known for its large, rounded body and deep, resonant sound. It typically has six strings and is played with the fingers, using a combination of plucking and…
Santoor Instrument Summary The Santoor is a traditional Indian string instrument known for its delicate, shimmering sound and trapezoidal shape. It has over 100 strings that are struck with wooden mallets called “mezrab.” The santoor is a key instrument in…
Sarangi Instrument Summary The Sarangi is a traditional Indian string instrument known for its hauntingly beautiful and expressive sound. It is one of the most important bowed instruments in Hindustani classical music. The sarangi typically has three main playing strings…
Esraj Instrument Summary The Esraj is a traditional Indian string instrument known for its deep, melodious sound and bowed playing technique. It typically has 15 to 20 strings, including melody, drone, and sympathetic strings, and is played with a bow…
What is a Tanpura Instrument? The Tanpura is a traditional Indian string instrument known for its resonant, continuous drone sound. It typically has four to six strings and is played by plucking the strings with the fingers. The tanpura is…
Surbahar Instrument Summary The Surbahar is a traditional Indian string instrument, often referred to as the “bass sitar,” known for its deep, resonant sound and extended lower register. It typically has 20 to 24 strings, including melody, drone, and sympathetic…
