idiochord

An idiochord is a type of musical instrument that produces sound through the vibration of a single, continuous piece of material that is itself the sounding body. This distinguishes it from heterochords, where the sound is produced by multiple independent vibrating elements, such as strings on a harp or reeds in a harmonium. In an idiochord, the entire resonant surface is integral to sound generation.

Examples of idiochords are found across various cultures and instrument families. Idiophones, a broad classification of musical instruments, often include idiochords. Simple examples include scraped idiophones, where a surface is scraped to create vibration. More complex examples can be found in certain types of plucked instruments where a single, specially prepared piece of wood or bamboo vibrates.

The term "idiochord" emphasizes the self-contained nature of the sound-producing element. The material itself, in its entirety or a significant portion of it, is what vibrates to create the musical tone. This contrasts with instruments where multiple distinct components, like individual strings or keys, are responsible for generating separate pitches or sounds. The concept helps to categorize and understand the fundamental acoustic principles behind different instrument designs.