String Instruments
The term string instruments refers to a very large category instruments of varying styles; from the earliest forms of the lute and hurdy gurdy to the modern electric guitars. Instruments using strings has been around since ancient times and have since spread over the years to every corner of the world. Although each region may have an instrument that is shaped differently or with different numbers of strings, they all started out basically the same. Instruments like the lute and the harp can even be found in the Bible.
In the United States string instruments range from a four string banjo, the ukulele, the violin (its family and other orchestral instruments) and bass, to five string banjos, six string guitars, eight string mandolins, bouzouki, 10 string guitars, 12 string guitars, and lutes. Some musicians also have instruments made with unusual string configurations to suit their own purposes and preferences. There is even a custom made bass guitar with nine strings.
Other types of strings instruments are the harp, autoharp, dulcimer, balalaikas, psalteries, hammered dulcimers, the oud, ektara, the laouta, sitars, rabab, santoors, saz, and although considered a keyboard instrument the piano requires strings to operate.
The instruments may look different and string count may not always be the same but the basic fingering in often similar so that a musician who plays one member of the string family can play a number of other instruments in the string family.
Some musicians, especially those who play in orchestras, play string instruments that are very old – some of them hundreds of years old. The most famous of very old violins is a Stratavarious. All instruments used to be made by hand; today there are still some instruments made by hand, there are also many that are manufactured via an assembly line. Like all musical instruments stringed instruments come in varying price ranges to fit most any budget.
