These different instrument families are distinguished by which part of the instrument vibrates. As 4th and 5th graders learned this week, sound is created when air vibrates. When a part of the instrument vibrates, it moves the air around it or contained within it. And a fun fact: no instruments would work in outer space - because there isn't air in outer space to vibrate!
The body of an Aerophone instrument vibrates, without using strings or membranes.
In a Chordophone, a string is bowed or plucked to create the initial sound (and may also have a resonating body).
When the whole instrument vibrates to produce a sound when struck, shaken, or scraped, such as a bell, gong, or rattle, this is an Idiophone.
In a Membranophone, sound is produced by striking a stretched membrane that vibrates.
For the Lamellophone, a “tongue” or small plate is plucked, which creates the sound. The plates are often made from metal but can also be made out of wood or cane.
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