How the barbiton makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the barbiton belongs to the lutes: strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck – the family of the guitar, violin, sitar and oud.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The barbiton, or barbitos (Gr: βάρβιτον or βάρβιτος; Lat. barbitus), is an ancient stringed instrument related to the lyre known from Greek and Roman classics.
The Greek instrument was a bass version of the kithara, and belonged in the zither family, but in medieval times, the same name was used to refer to the barbat; a different instrument that is a variety of lute.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a barbiton sound like?
As one of the lutes, its sound comes from the way strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck.
What type of instrument is the barbiton?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.2).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q790312 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Barbiton – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by (uploaded by user:Väsk ) – Public domain