Chordofonen

Chordofonen are a major family of musical instruments in which sound is produced primarily by vibrating strings. The term, derived from the Greek words chorde (string) and phone (sound), encompasses instruments whose strings are set into vibration by plucking, striking, or bowing. Depending on the type, the strings may be stretched along a neck and resonant body or lie on a flat soundboard without a neck.

In organology, chordofonen are categorized as chordophones. The main subgroups are zithers (strings run along a flat body with little or no neck), lutes (strings run along a neck attached to a resonator), and harps (strings run perpendicular to a frame without a distinct neck). Examples of zithers include the dulcimer, psaltery, and kantele; examples of lutes include the guitar, lute, oud, and mandolin; and examples of harps include the concert harp and various folk harps. Keyboard instruments such as the piano and harpsichord are also considered chordophones because their sounds arise from vibrating strings struck by hammers or plucked mechanisms.

Chordofonen have a long and widespread history, appearing in many cultures around the world from ancient times to the present. They range from simple народные instruments to highly developed modern designs, and they continue to play a central role in folk music, classical ensembles, and popular genres. The classification and study of chordofonen are foundational to the broader field of musical instrument taxonomy.