String Instruments Archives - InstrumentHeritage.com

Sitar: An Indian instrument with a long neck, frets, and two glass of water in the background.

Sitar: The Sound of Indian Classical Music

Imagine a sound that doesn’t just start and stop but blooms, buzzes, and bends into the spaces between the notes. That is the Sitar. It… Sitar: The Sound of Indian Classical Music

Koto: The Japanese zither features a long wooden body with strings stretched over it, placed on a wooden deck surrounded by c…

Koto: The National Instrument of Japan

Imagine a dragon lying on the shore, its long, curved body echoing the sound of the waves. This isn’t just a poetic metaphor; it is… Koto: The National Instrument of Japan

Morin Khuur: The Mongolian Horsehead Fiddle

Imagine standing in the vast, open steppes of Mongolia. The wind whistles through the grass, and in the distance, you hear the thunder of hooves.… Morin Khuur: The Mongolian Horsehead Fiddle

Biwa, a traditional Japanese lute, leans against a wooden table with its long neck and rounded body clearly visible.

Biwa: The Storytelling Lute of Japan

Imagine a sound that is less about the melody and more about the silence between the notes. The Biwa isn’t just an instrument; it is… Biwa: The Storytelling Lute of Japan

A kopuz, an ancient Turkish instrument with a round body and a long neck, resting on a wooden surface.

Kopuz: The Ancient Lute of Turkic Culture

Imagine a sound that traveled across the windy steppes of Central Asia thousands of years ago, carried by horseback riders and storytellers. This is the… Kopuz: The Ancient Lute of Turkic Culture

A traditional guqin rests on a wooden bench with lush green plants in the background.

Guqin: The Scholar’s Zither of Ancient China

The Guqin is not just a musical instrument; it is a philosophy wrapped in silk and wood. Often called the “instrument of the sages,” this… Guqin: The Scholar’s Zither of Ancient China

A rebec instrument with a rounded body and three strings resting on a dark cloth surface.

The Rebec: Ancestor of the Modern Violin

The Rebec is the spunky, loudmouthed grandfather of the modern violin. While today’s orchestras are dominated by the refined Stradivarius, the medieval world danced to… The Rebec: Ancestor of the Modern Violin

Two traditional string instruments, a lute and an oud, are placed side by side on a wooden surface.

Lute vs Oud: What Is the Difference?

If you squint your eyes a little bit while looking at a stage, you might mistake an Oud for a Lute, or vice versa. It… Lute vs Oud: What Is the Difference?

A medieval hurdy-gurdy with a wooden body, a crank handle, and strings stretched over it, placed outdoors on a stone surface.

Hurdy-Gurdy: The Medieval Wheel Fiddle Explained

Imagine a musical instrument that looks like a violin crossed with a typewriter, sounds like a bagpipe, and is played by cranking a wheel. This… Hurdy-Gurdy: The Medieval Wheel Fiddle Explained

A close-up of the lyre of Ur with its decorated soundboard and curved neck, showcasing ancient craftsmanship.

The Lyre of Ur: World’s Oldest String Instrument

Imagine peeling back layers of earth to reveal a voice that hasn’t been heard in 4,500 years. That is exactly what happened when archaeologists uncovered… The Lyre of Ur: World’s Oldest String Instrument