Tag: musical string instrument

Instruments

Guzheng Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 13, 2015

Guzheng Facts

The guzheng or Gu Zheng is a Chinese string instrument. Sometimes the name is shortened to zheng. No matter what you call it, the large, slender instrument functions as a plucked zither with 18 or more strings and movable bridges.

According to musicologists, the guzheng was inspired by early bamboo tube zithers. Today’s guzheng is quite different from the instruments made centuries ago. Modern players use picks—called DaiMao—which are often made from hawksbill turtle shells. Ancient picks were carved from ivory or tortoise shells.

Western musical styles have inspired a more modern playing technique where the left hand is used to provide harmony and bass notes. This allows for greater flexibility in the instrument’s musical range, but tends to limit subtle ornamentations provided by the left hand in more traditional music. Students at the Beijing Conservatory are required to learn a repertoire of both traditional and modern pieces.

Here are a few more interesting guzheng facts. Centuries ago the strings were made from silk. Today they’re nearly always metal-nylon, which increases the instrument’s capabilities, volume, and timbre. The strings are capable of creating graceful sounds that mimic a cascading waterfall, or stronger sounds like thunder and trotting horses.

Guzheng Performance

More Guzheng Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a guzhengist or Chinese harpist. Notable guzhengists include Bei Bei He, Qui Je, Liu Le, Yuan Sha, Shirley Wang, Melody Yan, and Wang Zhongshan. These artists have not only preserved the guzheng’s traditional roots, but also expanded its reach through innovation and global outreach.

Cao Zheng (1920–1998)
As a professor at the China Conservatory of Music, Cao Zheng was a pioneer in modern guzheng teaching methods. She standardized techniques and notation, elevating the instrument’s status in academic settings, while preserving traditional repertoires.

Beautiful Young Woman Playing Guzheng

High-Quality Canvas Poster Print

Beautiful Young Woman Playing Guzheng High-Quality Canvas Poster Print White Semi-Gloss Artist Canvas is Waterproof and Moisture Proof

Virtuoso and Educationist Wang Zhongshan

The musical piece is called “Fishermen’s Song at Eventide.”

Famous Guzheng Music Pieces

“Fisherman’s Evening Song” (Yu Zhou Chang Wan) is a traditional piece from the Henan school, depicting fishermen singing as they return at dusk. Its melodic simplicity and rhythmic flow make it a beloved classic. Other iconic pieces include “High Mountain and Flowing Water” (Gao Shan Liu Shui), symbolizing friendship, and “Spring River in the Moonlight” (Chun Jiang Hua Yue Ye), evoking poetic imagery.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite guzheng player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Guzheng collection.

Find a Guzheng Online

Dunhuang Burmese Rosewood Guzheng with Master Signature

Product details:

Single-piece professional grade paulownia soundboard and backboard
Frame is made by Burmese rosewood with wood carving in the famous Banana Panel Night Rain design
Professional grade rosewood bridges
Accessories include guzheng picks and tape, tuning wrench, soundboard cleaning brush, soft carrying case
Professional Guzheng chromatic tuner
Two-piece matching stands
English and Chinese manual included
Dunhuang’s professional model is top seller in the market

Dunhuang 694KK Burmese Rosewood Guzheng with Master Signature Includes Everything You Need to Learn and Play this Beautiful Chinese String Instrument

Young Chinese Girl with Guzheng

Cultural Significance
The guzheng is a symbol of Chinese musical heritage, often associated with elegance, refinement, and emotional expression. It appears in classical literature, such as poems describing its evocative sound, and is linked to Confucian ideals of harmony and balance. The instrument’s mesmerizing sound enriches performances, and provides an immersive cultural experience for audiences throughout the world.

Best Guzheng Gifts Collection

Our Guzheng Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Guzheng Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Guzheng Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite guzheng player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Guzhengs and Accessories

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that–at zero cost to you–we will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Lovermusic 1-21# Steel Wire and Nylon Guzheng Strings – Chinese Zither Accessory – Pack of 21 LANDTOM 16 Pieces (2 Sets) General Level Guzheng Finger Picks – Chinese Zither Finger Picks (Adult) ARTIBETTER Guzheng Rosewood Musical Bridge for Chinese Zither – Replacement Parts – 21 Pieces Gazechimp 87.5cm Guzheng Bridge Position Schematic Diagram for Beginners – High-Quality Paper

Courtesies

Guzheng Performance image by allenking233

Young Chinese Girl with Guzheng image by ymyphoto

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Guitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 12, 2015

Guitar Facts

The guitar’s history spans over 4,000 years, evolving from stringed instruments like the tanbur and setar in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. A direct ancestor is the Middle Eastern oud, a fretless, pear-shaped instrument introduced to Europe during the 8th century.

By the 13th century, instruments like the guitarra latina and guitarra morisca appeared in Spain. The Renaissance saw the development of the vihuela and the four-course guitar, with four pairs of strings, popular in Europe for accompaniment and solo performance.

The Baroque period introduced the five-course guitar, with ornate designs and gut strings. It was widely used in courts and by composers like Gaspar Sanz. During this era, tuning evolved toward the modern standard.

Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres revolutionized the guitar in the 1850s by designing the larger, fan-braced body that became the template for modern classical guitars. His designs improved volume and tone, making the guitar a serious concert instrument.

The 1930s marked the birth of the electric guitar, driven by the need for louder instruments in jazz and big band music. Leo Fender and Les Paul pioneered solid-body designs. The 1950s Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul became iconic, thus shaping rock, blues, and pop music. Today, guitars are central to countless genres—from flamenco to metal. Advances in amplification, effects pedals, and digital modeling continue to expand the instrument’s versatility.

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)

More Guitar Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a guitarist. Notable guitarists are far too numerous to name here, though Jimi Hendrix is often singled out as the greatest ever.

Jimi Hendrix
Ranking “best” guitarists is subjective, but Jimi Hendrix is often cited as the greatest for his revolutionary electric guitar techniques, including feedback manipulation and wah-wah pedals. His performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock (1969) redefined guitar expression.

A Visual Compendium of Guitars

Guitar Infographic Printed on Acid-Free Cover Stock

A Visual Compendium of Guitars 16×20 High-Quality Poster Print

Brian May’s “Old Lady”
One of the most famous guitars was hand-built by Queen’s lead guitarist and his father in the 1960s. Built over 18 months in a home workshop, the “Red Special” cost around £8 to build (about $200 today). The legendary guitar went on to great fame, powering hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Killer Queen.”

Queen Guitarist Brian May

Listen to Queen guitarist Brian May on Absolute Radio telling the story of how he built the famous Red Special guitar with his engineer father, using salvaged materials. Here’s what one reviewer had to say: I don’t think people realize how incredible this is. This is like saying “I couldn’t afford a space shuttle so I built one with my dad.”

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite guitar player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Guitar collection.

Find a Guitar Online

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Product details:

Perfect beginner guitar for all ages
Designed by the most trusted name in guitar
Backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
Includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos
“C” shaped neck, walnut fingerboard, light weight body
Sealed-gear tuning machines allow for accurate tuning
Dreadnought body shape resonates with a bold and rich bass tone
Great for playing country, folk or bluegrass

Fender FA-25 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Sunburst Finish Beginner Guitar with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons

Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar

Guitarist and Innovator Les Paul
The guitar is such a personal thing. It’s an extension of your fingers, your thoughts, your feelings. You can’t just plug a guitar into an amplifier and expect it to sound good. It’s all about the touch and the feel. When you get a groove going, time flies. You don’t even realize you’re playing for hours.

Best Guitar Gifts Collection

Our Guitar Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Guitar Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Guitar Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite guitar player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Guitars and Accessories

30-inch Wood Classical Guitar – Case and Accessories – Great for Kids and Beginners – Wood D’Addario Guitar Strings – Acoustic Guitar Strings – 80/20 Bronze – For 6 String Guitar – Light String Gauge D’Addario Celluloid Guitar Picks – 25 Pack – Guitar Picks for Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings – 10-46 Gauge – Made in California

More Guitar Facts

Looking for more guitar facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about guitars for you to enjoy:

Business Cards for Performers and Teachers
Left-Hand Chord Charts

Courtesies

Jimi Hendrix image by nelag0

Gibson Les Paul Guitar image by SeanKearns

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Dulcimer Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 12, 2015

Dulcimer Facts

The dulcimer’s roots trace back to ancient stringed instruments, including the Persian santur and European psaltery. Modern dulcimers emerged in the United States in the 19th century, primarily among Scotch-Irish immigrants. Historians speculate that early settlers lacked the proper tools needed to craft the more complex, dramatically curved violin.

Once dulcimers were mass-produced, design changes resulted in an instrument that was easier to build and play. The body was made larger, and geared tuners replaced traditional wooden pegs, making tuning easier and more reliable.

With just three or four strings and a simple diatonic fret pattern, the Appalachian dulcimer is one of the easiest string instruments to learn. It’s a wonderful introduction to the world of music.

The hammered dulcimer, an earlier form, was widely used in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. During these eras, a variety of instruments appeared across many cultures—from the Middle East to Asia.

Street Musician on Hammered Dulcimer

More Dulcimer Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a dulcimerist. This term is rarely used though. Most artists refer to themselves as dulcimer players.

Famous Dulcimer Musicians

The dulcimer saw a resurgence during the 1960s folk music revival, with musicians like Jean Ritchie, Joni Mitchell, and Richard Fariña incorporating it into their work. Today, festivals like the Kentucky Music Week continue to celebrate and teach dulcimer music with workshops and performances.

Other famous musicians have been known to play this simple instrument. Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones featured an Appalachian dulcimer on the songs “Lady Jane” and “I Am Waiting.” Pop star Cyndi Lauper played one on her songs “A Night to Remember” and “Sisters of Avalon.”

Dulcimer Nicknames

Over the years, the Appalachian dulcimer has acquired a number of nicknames including Mountain Dulcimer, Lap Dulcimer, Hog Fiddle, and Whamadiddle or Whimmydiddle. The hammered dulcimer’s nicknames include Whammer Jammer, Cimbalom, Stringed Piano, and Hackbrett (German for chopping board.) These nicknames vary by region, tradition, and the instrument’s role in local music.

Appalachian Dulcimer
Developed in the early 1800s in rural Appalachia, this fretted string instrument was crafted with simple tools and local woods like walnut or cherry. Its hourglass or teardrop shape was designed for portability and ease of play, often used to accompany folk songs and ballads. Appalachian dulcimers typically have 3–5 strings, with one or two melody strings and the rest as drones, creating a haunting, harmonious sound.

Play the Mountain Dulcimer

by Michael Alan Wood

A Dulcimer Hymn Collection: Traditional Hymns and Spirituals for Mountain Dulcimer in D-A-A Tuning Dulcimer on the Backroads: Old Time and Celtic Tunes for Mountain Dulcimer in D-A-A Tuning

Virtuoso Dulcimer Player Stephen Seifert

Nashville-based musician Stephen Seifert plays “Whiskey Before Breakfast” on an Appalacian dulcimer. If you’d like to learn to play, Stephen has a series of videos that you can find on his website. He’s widely recognized as one of the most versatile and talented contemporary players, and is a frequent performer at American folk music festivals. Stephen has also performed with a number of classical symphonies throughout the United States.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite dulcimer player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Dulcimer collection.

Find a Dulcimer Online

Applecreek Dulcimer Deluxe Pack

Product details:

Handcrafted in Europe using the finest material
Applecreek Dulcimer is the best student model you will find
Durable nylon dulcimer case with accessory pocket, handle and shoulder strap to carry like suitcase or backpack
Dulcimer Instruction Book with 19 all-time favorite songs
One of the most popular and easiest musical instruments to play

Applecreek Dulcimer, Known as the Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer Deluxe Pack Includes Durable Nylon Dulcimer Case with Strap, Dulcimer Music Book

Hammered Dulcimer

Hammered Dulcimer
Unlike the Appalachian dulcimer, the hammered dulcimer is played by striking strings with small hammers, producing a bright, resonant sound. The instrument can have 100 or more strings, arranged in courses to allow for complex melodies and harmonies. It was a popular instrument, played in royal courts and folk settings alike.

Best Dulcimer Gifts Collection

Our Dulcimer Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Dulcimer Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Dulcimer Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite dulcimer player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Dulcimers and Accessories

D’Addario EJ64 Set of 4 Dulcimer Strings: 3 Plain Steel, 1 Nickel-Plated Steel – Medium String Gauge String Swing Dulcimer Hanger Wall Mount Holder CC01D-C Solid Cherry Hardwood Block – Easy to Hang Noter for the Mountain Dulcimer – Made from Solid Rosewood – Rooseback Pick Included Dulcimer Songbook: 70 Popular Songs for Dulcimer in D-A-D Tuning – By Thomas Balinger

Courtesies

Hammered Dulcimer image by maxmann

Hammered Dulcimer image by traveLink

Column: Historic, Lovely Tones of the Hammered Dulcimer

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Cello Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 12, 2015

Cello Facts

The cello, a string instrument known for its rich, deep tone, has a fascinating history. It was developed by Italian luthiers in the early 16th century as part of the violin family. The cello emerged from earlier bass instruments like the viola da gamba, designed to provide a deeper, resonant sound for orchestral and ensemble settings.

Initially called “basso di viola da braccio,” the first cellos were larger than modern versions. By the late 17th century, makers like Antonio Stradivari refined its size and shape, establishing the modern cello’s proportions. The addition of the endpin (a metal spike to stabilize the instrument) in the 19th century improved playability.

Baroque music elevated the prominence of the cello. Composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote solo works, including his Six Cello Suites (c. 1717–1723), which remain cornerstones of the repertoire. The cello became a staple in orchestras and chamber music.

Romantic music further expanded the cello’s role, with composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Dvořák showcasing its expressive range. In the 20th century, the cello gained worldwide prominence when virtuosos including “The Godfather of the Modern Cello” Pablo Casals, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Yo-Yo Ma commissioned new works and popularized solo performances.

Cello with Bow and Music Book

More Cello Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a cellist. Other notable cellists of the 20th century include Jacqueline du Pré, Beatrice Harrison, Emanuel Feuermann, Pierre Fournier, Zara Nelsova, János Starker, Paul Tortelier, and Anner Bylsma.

More recently, a classically trained Croatian duo, Stjepan Hauser and Luka Šulić (2Cellos) have introduced the instrument to fans of rock and pop. In 2012, the pair performed an arrangement of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” on the television show Glee.

Versatile Range
The cello spans over four octaves, mimicking the human voice’s warmth and depth, which makes it ideal for both melodic and harmonic roles. Its standard tuning is C2, G2, D3, A3 (from lowest to highest string).

Abstract Cello Player Poster

High-Quality Art Print Poster

Cello Abstract Wall Art Print Poster Paint Splash Style Artwork (Unframed)

Solo by Yo-Yo Ma

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and trumpeter Chris Botti perform the hauntingly beautiful love theme from Cinema Paradiso. The music was written by Italian composer Ennio Morricone for the 1988 film. You’ll definitely want to keep a box of tissues handy as you watch this Italian drama written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite cello player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Cello collection.

Find a Cello Online

Cecilio Size 4/4 (Full Size) High-Luster Varnish Cello

Product details:

Crack-proof spruce top with maple neck, back and sides
Alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
Padded lightweight carrying case with pockets and adjustable backpack straps
Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair
Rosin, bridge, cello stand, extra set of strings
1 Year warranty against manufacturer’s defects
Please note that the bridge will not be setup before shipment to avoid damage to the cello body during transit.

Cecilio CCO-100 Student Cello, Size 4/4 (Full Size) High Luster Varnish Cello Includes Soft Case, Instrument Stand, Bow, Rosin, Bridge and Extra Set of Strings

Cello Trio

Stradivarius Cellos
Some of the most valuable instruments in the world are Stradivarius cellos, crafted by Antonio Stradivari, the most celebrated luthier of all time. Famed contemporary cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays the “Davidov Stradivarius,” which was made in Italy in 1712. The instrument was previously owned and played by British cellist Jacqueline du Pré. Her phenomenal career was cut short by multiple sclerosis when she was just 28 years old.

Best Cello Gifts Collection

Our Cello Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Cello Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Cello Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite cello player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Cellos and Accessories

D’Addario J1010 Prelude Cello String Set – 3/4 Scale Length – Solid Steel Core – Medium Tension Original Bernardel Rosin For Violin, Viola, Cello – Medium Light Rosin Made in France – Not an Imitation! Fantastic Finger Guide for Cellos – Fingerboard and Fretboard Stickers for Learning All Notes – 4/4 Size PUNK Real Rosewood Cello Endpin Rest with Non-Slip Hard Rubber Mat – Smooth Shiny Finish

More Cello Facts

Looking for more cello facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about cellos for you to enjoy:

Business Cards for Performers and Teachers

Courtesies

Cello with Bow and Music Book image by Ri_Ya

Cello Trio image by Ri_Ya

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Bouzouki Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 12, 2015

Bouzouki Facts

The bouzouki descends from ancient instruments like the pandoura, a long-necked lute from ancient Greece (circa 1000 BC), and the Byzantine tambouras. These evolved through Eastern influences, including the Turkish saz and tanbur. The modern bouzouki emerged in Greece in the early 1900s, brought by refugees from Asia Minor after the 1919–1922 Greco-Turkish War.

The instrument produces a distinctive sound—sharp, metallic, and twangy—similar to a mandolin but lower in pitch, due to its steel strings and round wooden body. It’s often played with a plectrum for a vibrant, resonant tone. There are two primary forms: the trichordo (three pairs of strings, tuned D-A-D) and the tetrachordo (four pairs of strings, tuned C-F-A-D).

In the 1920s–1930s the bouzouki became central to rebetiko, an urban folk music genre associated with Greece’s underworld and themes of crime, love, and hardship. Introduction of the tetrachordo bouzouki in the 1950s expanded the instrument’s harmonic range, aligning its tuning with the top four strings of a guitar. This made it a cornerstone of laiko (Greek pop) music. The Irish bouzouki is based on the Greek instrument, and has been popular in traditional Irish folk music since the 1960s.

Irish Bouzouki Folk Musical Instrument

More Bouzouki Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a bouzoukist. Notable bouzoukists include Manolis Chiotis, Andreas Karantinis, Dónal Lunny, Johnny Moynihan, Ioannis Papaioannou, Michalis Terzis, Vasilis Tsitsanis, and Márkos Vamvakáris.

Global Reach
A symbol of Greek musical heritage, the bouzouki gained international fame through 1960s film scores like Never on Sunday. Its adoption in Irish folk music was aided by musicians Johnny Moynihan and Dónal Lunny, who modified the instrument’s design and tuning for Celtic traditions. Beyond Greece, the bouzouki has influenced jazz, rock, and classical music, and is popular in regions like Ireland, Scandinavia, and the Balkans.

Bouzouki Wall Art Prints

3-Piece Stretched and Framed Colorful Canvas Prints

Bouzoukis 3-Panel Stretched and Framed Wall Art Home or Office Decor Each Colorful Canvas Print Has a Hook Mounted on Back and is Ready to Hang

Solo by Andreas Karantinis

AKTINA’s Greek Music Journey featured Greek singer Melina Aslanidou with Andreas Karantinis on the bouzouki. The concert was held at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in Manhattan on June 6, 2013 in honor of AKTINA FM Radio’s 20th year anniversary.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite bouzouki player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Bouzouki collection.

Find a Bouzouki Online

Gold Tone 8-String Bouzouki

Product details:

Originally a folk instrument from the Eastern Mediterranean (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) that’s usually played solo
Solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, mahogany back and sides
Natural color, satin finish
Dimensions: 38.5 x 13 x 2 inches (L-W-H)
Brass cast tailpiece, intonated bridge
Includes hard shell carrying case

Gold Tone BZ-500 Bouzouki Gold Tone Hard Shell Case Included

Greek Bouzouki Folk Musical Instrument

Craftsmanship Matters
The bouzouki’s sound depends on high-quality woods like spruce or cedar for the soundboard and mulberry, walnut, or maple for the body. Luthiers carefully shape the pear-shaped body for resonance. Simple yet beautiful, the bouzouki has a flat fronted body that is often inlaid with elaborate mother-of-pearl designs.

Best Bouzouki Gifts Collection

Our Bouzouki Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Bouzouki Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Bouzouki Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite bouzouki player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Bouzoukis and Accessories

D’Addario J97 Greek Bouzouki Set of 8 Nickleplated Steel Wound Strings – Medium String Gauge D’Addario EJ81 Irish Bouzouki Set of 8 Phosphor Bronze Strings – Medium String Gauge Crossrock ABS Molded Greek Bouzouki Black Hard Shell Case – Fits Most Regular Greek Bouzoukis Handike Bouzouki Stand KOS-205 – Sturdy Wooden Support for Bouzouki Musical String Instrument

Courtesies

Irish Bouzouki image by taniadimas

Greek Bouzouki image by Yamu_Jay

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Bass Guitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 12, 2015

Bass Guitar Facts

The bass guitar often serves as the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of a song, bridging the melody and the beat. It drives the groove in many styles of music, including blues, country, funk, fusion, gospel, jazz, Latin, metal, pop, punk rock, and reggae. This popular string instrument is known by many names including bass, electric bass, and electric bass guitar.

While the standard bass guitar has four strings tuned to E, A, D, and G, extended-range basses can have five, six, or even more strings, allowing for a broader range of notes and techniques. Some bass guitars are fretless, allowing for smoother slides and microtonal notes, similar to a double bass. Despite having the shortest strings of stringed instruments in a typical band setup, the bass produces the lowest frequencies, thanks to its thick strings and longer scale length.

Fender Jazz Bass

More Bass Guitar Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a bassist. Notable bassists include Sheryl Crow, Flea, Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees), Larry Graham, Sammy Hagar, Carol Kaye, Geddy Lee, Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings), Jaco Pastorius, John Patitucci (Chick Corea), Prince, Kenny Rogers, Gene Simmons (Kiss), Esperanza Spalding, Peter Tork (The Monkees), Eddie Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen, Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols), and Stevie Wonder.

Played with Fingers, Picks, or Both
Bassists use various techniques—fingers for a warm tone, picks for precision and attack, or even tapping and harmonics for experimental sounds. Pioneered by players like Larry Graham in the 1960s, the slap-and-pop technique (slapping the strings with the thumb and popping them with the fingers) became a hallmark of funk music, adding percussive flair.

Essential Bass Theory Chart

High-Quality Paper Poster – Protective Tube

Essential Bass Theory Chart 24×36 Poster 18 Arpeggio Diagrams – Major and Minor

Chick Corea Elektric Band

John Patitucci, Frank Gambale, and Dave Weckl perform solos with the Chick Corea Elektric Band at the Blue Note in New York City on November 25, 2011. The piece is called “Got a Match?”

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite bass guitar player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Bass Guitar collection.

Find a Bass Guitar Online

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Product details:

Perfect beginner guitar for all ages
Designed by the most trusted name in guitar
Backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
Includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos
Super-comfortable “C” shaped neck
Laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort
Three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching
Tremolo bridge and removeable arm

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Black with Matte Finish Beginner Guitar with 2-Year Warranty, Includes Free Lessons

Fender Bass Guitar

Invented in the 1930s
Leo Fender introduced the first commercially successful electric bass guitar—the Fender Precision Bass—in 1951. It was designed to provide a louder, more portable alternative to the double bass for jazz and early rock musicians.

Best Bass Guitar Gifts Collection

Our Bass Guitar Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Bass Guitar Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Bass Guitar Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite bass guitar player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Bass Guitars and Accessories

Music Theory for the Bass Player: A Comprehensive and Hands-on Guide to Playing with More Confidence and Freedom Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings, 50-105 Gauge (P02832) – Made in California GLEAM Guitar Stand – Adjustable Fit Electric, Classical Guitars and Bass, Accessories, Folding Stand (CG-4) Bass Scales Chart 16 x 24 Poster for Beginners – Master Bass Guitar Fretboard Notes, Bass Scales and Modes

More Bass Guitar Facts

Looking for more bass guitar facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about bass guitars for you to enjoy:

Business Cards for Performers and Teachers
Left-Hand Chord Charts

Courtesies

Fender Jazz Bass image by KinhaBass

Fender Bass Guitar image by egonkling

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Autoharp Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 11, 2015

Autoharp Facts

Here’s one of the most interesting autoharp facts. Despite the name, an autoharp isn’t a harp at all. It’s actually a chorded zither.

How does it work? A series of chord bars are attached to dampers. When the chord bars are depressed during play, strings are muted to form the desired chord. Modern autoharps usually have 36 or 37 strings. Some have as many as 47 strings, and a rare 48-string model also exists.

In the United States, the autoharp often provides rhythm in bluegrass and country music. However, skilled chromatic players can perform a range of melodies on the instrument.

More Autoharp Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called an autoharpist. Notable autoharpists include Neriah McCubbins “Mr. Cub” Benfield and his son Kenneth Benfield, Bryan Bowers, Basia Bulat, Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Sheryl Crow, Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), Janis Joplin, Linda McCartney, Dolly Parton, John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful), Kilby Snow and his son Jim Snow, Ernest V. Stoneman, and Joni Mitchell.

Signature Sound
Maybelle Carter popularized the autoharp in early country music during the 1920s and 1930s. Her innovative playing style helped define the Carter Family’s sound, blending traditional Appalachian melodies with gospel and folk influences.

Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family

The autoharp was a favorite with the historic Carter Family, including Maybelle Carter, her cousin Sara Carter, and her daughters Helen Carter and June Carter Cash. The Carter Family adopted an upright style for playing that was developed by Grand Ole Opry star Cecil Null.

Maybelle Carter’s granddaughter Carlene carries on the family tradition today, performing onstage as well as on her recordings. Carlene’s 1990 song “Me and the Wildwood Rose” was dedicated to her grandmother Maybelle Carter.

Maybelle Carter

Queen of the Auto-Harp

Maybelle Carter – Wildwood Pickin’Maybelle Carter – Queen of the Auto-Harp

Solo by “Mother” Maybelle Carter

The legendary Johnny Cash introduces his mother-in-law Maybelle Carter on the February 25, 1970 episode of “The Johnny Cash Show.” The musical piece is called “Black Mountain Rag.”

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite autoharp player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Autoharp collection.

Find an Autoharp Online

Oscar Schmidt 15-Chord Autoharp

Product details:

15-chord autoharp with select maple body
Handcrafted quality you expect from Oscar Schmidt
36 alloy steel strings
Tobacco sunburst gloss finish
Rock maple pin block for strength and solid tuning
An extremely easy to play instrument
Fun for the whole family

Oscar Schmidt OS15B Autoharp Beginning Autoharp Instruction Book

Origins in the 19th Century
The autoharp was patented in 1882 by Karl August Gütter in Germany, but it was popularized in the United States by Charles F. Zimmermann, who claimed to have invented it. His version included a mechanism for damping strings to play chords easily. While strongly tied to American music, the autoharp has found fans globally, with active communities in Europe and Asia, and particularly in Germany, where it originated.

Autoharp Gifts Collection

Our Autoharp Shirts and Gifts collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Autoharp Shirts and Gifts

Unique Autoharp Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite autoharp player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Autoharps and Accessories

Oscar Schmidt Autoharp Strings (ASA) Full Set of 36 Strings – Stainless Steel – Individually Wrapped Grover/Trophy Autoharp Tuning Wrench Lap Harp, Chord-harp L-shape Tuning Hammer Tuner Wrench Fully Insulated Autoharp Case Bag – High-Impact Foam Covered with Special Tuff Skin Material Oscar Schmidt AC449 Vintage Style Autoharp Case – Classic Stitched Brown Leatherette Exterior