String instrument String instrument String instruments, stringed instruments, or chordophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when the performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner. Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the strings with their fingers or a plectrum—and others by hitting the strings with a light wooden hammer or by rubbing the strings with a bow. In some keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord, the musician presses a key that plucks the string. With bowed instruments, the player rubs the strings with a horsehair bow, causing them to vibrate. With a hurdy-gurdy, the musician operates
Hurdy-gurdy German name, "Bauernleier", means "peasant's lyre". In Italy, it is called the "ghironda" or "lira tedesca" while in Spain, it is a "zanfona" in Galicia, "zanfoña" in Zamora, "rabil" in Asturias and "viola de roda" in Catalonia. In the Basque language, it is known as a "zarrabete". In Portugal, it is called "sanfona". The Hungarian name "tekerőlant" and the alternate "forgólant" both mean "turning lute." Another Hungarian name for the instrument is "nyenyere", which is thought to be an onomatopoeic reference to the repetitive warble produced by a wheel that is not even. This term was considered derogatory in the