How the bobre makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the bobre belongs to the bar zithers: strings are stretched along a rigid bar or stick, often with a gourd resonator.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
The bobre is a musical bow traditional in Mauritius and Réunion, particularly the traditional genres, sega and maloya.
It is a long bow, made of wood with a vegetable fibre string, with a calabash acting as a resonator. It is played by striking the string with a stick.
Other bar zithers
Frequently asked questions
What does a bobre sound like?
As one of the bar zithers, its sound comes from the way strings are stretched along a rigid bar or stick, often with a gourd resonator.
What type of instrument is the bobre?
It is classified as bar zithers (Hornbostel–Sachs 311.121.222).