Using fingers or a plectrum (e.g., harp, guitar, ukulele ).
Chordophones are among the oldest known musical tools. Recent archaeological finds in uncovered a 2,000-year-old stringed instrument made from deer antler, marking it as one of the earliest chordophones found in Southeast Asia. chordophone
Drawing a bow across strings to create sustained friction (e.g., violin, cello). Using fingers or a plectrum (e
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 Drawing a bow across strings to create sustained friction (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 .
💡 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