String instruments
String instruments are musical instruments that can emit different sounds through one or more
strings vibration, included in a resonance box, which
when pressed, rubbed or percussed produce sounds.
Guitar Viola
Harp Litungu & Nyatiti
Orutu
1. Violin
The violin, sometimes known as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow
wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular use. The violin
typically has four strings, usually tuned in perfect fifths with notes G3, D4, A4, E5, and is most commonly played by
drawing a bow across its strings. It can also be played by plucking the strings with the fingers and, in specialized cases, by
striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow.
2. Viola
The viola is the older sister or brother of the violin. It is slightly larger, just over two feet long, and has thicker strings,
which produce a richer, warmer sound than the violin. There are usually 10 to 14 violas in an orchestra and they almost
always play the harmony. You play the viola by resting it between your chin and shoulder. Your left hand holds the neck
of the viola and presses down on the strings to change the pitch, while your right hand moves the bow or plucks the
strings.
3. Harp
The harp is different from the other stringed instruments. It's tall, about six feet, shaped a little like the number 7, and
has 47 strings of varying lengths, which are tuned to the notes of the white keys of the piano. You play the harp sitting
down with your legs on either side, with the neck of the harp leaning on your right shoulder. Each string sounds a
different note (they come in different colors to help you tell one from another) and you play them by plucking the strings
with your fingertips and thumb. Attached to the bottom of the harp are seven foot pedals, which change the pitch of
each string and allow them to sound the pitches of the black keys on the piano.
4. Guitar
The guitar is a musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is held flat against the player's body and played
by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strings
against frets with the fingers of the opposite hand. A plectrum or individual finger picks may be used to strike the
strings. The sound of the guitar is projected either acoustically, by means of a resonant chamber on the instrument, or
amplified by an electronic pickup and an amplifier.
5. Litungu
The litungu is a traditional lyre played by the Luhya ethnic group of Kenya . It has seven strings.
6. Nyatitii
The nyatiti is a five to eight-stringed plucked bowl yoke lute from Kenya. It is a classical instrument played by
the Luo people of Western Kenya, specifically in the Siaya region south of Kisumu. It is about two to three feet long with
a bowl-shaped, carved wood resonator covered in cow skin.
7. Orutu
The orutu is a one-stringed vertical fiddle originated in the pre-colonial societies of western Kenya, especially
amongst the Luo community.[1] The Luo had a strong tradition of stringed instruments and was famous for their skills
with harps and lyres.[1] When played with a bow, the orutu creates different notes determined by finger pressure
against the central stick.[2]