String instruments: Plucked and Struck string instruments

String instruments are divided into three categories: 

- Bowed string instruments

- Plucked string instruments

- Struck string instruments

We remind you that bowed string instruments are those in which sound is produced by rubbing a bow across the strings. Next, let's see what the other two categories of string instruments are and how they work:

- Plucked string instruments:

Plucked string instruments are those in which sound is produced by vibrating the strings through the application of force, such as plucking with fingers or using a pick. Some examples are:

- Guitar: The guitar is one of the most popular and versatile plucked string instruments. It has six strings that are played by plucking with fingers or using a pick, and it is used in a wide variety of musical genres.

- Ukulele: Similar to the guitar but smaller and with only four strings, the ukulele is known for its bright and cheerful sound. It is easier to learn than the guitar and is popular in Hawaiian music and other folk styles.

- Banjo: The banjo is a plucked string instrument with a round body and a long neck. It has a distinctive sound and is mainly used in bluegrass, country, and folk music.

- Mandolin: Similar in appearance to a small guitar, the mandolin has eight strings and a bright and distinctive sound. It is used in a variety of musical styles, including bluegrass, folk, and rock.

- Struck string instruments:

Struck string instruments are those in which sound is produced by striking the strings with some type of hammer or mallet, rather than plucking or bowing them. These instruments have a unique playing technique that involves striking the strings instead of manually vibrating them. Some examples of struck string instruments are:

- Piano: The piano is one of the most well-known and widely used struck string instruments. The piano strings are struck internally by a set of hammers controlled by keys, producing a wide range of musical notes.

- Clavichord: This struck string instrument is similar to the piano but smaller and softer in its sound. The strings of the clavichord are struck with small hammers connected to the keys, allowing the musician to control the volume and dynamics very precisely.

- Dulcimer:  The dulcimer is a struck string instrument that is played by striking the strings with small hammers or mallets. It has a box-shaped resonator and the strings extend over a bridge. It is known for its sweet and melodic sound.