How the Colombian tiple makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Colombian tiple 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.
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 Colombian tiple is a plucked string instrument of the guitar family, common in Colombia where it is considered one of the national instruments. About three-fourths the size of a classical guitar, it has twelve strings set in four triple-strung courses. It is played as a main instrument or as an accompanying instrument to the guitar.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does the Colombian tiple 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 Colombian tiple?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.322-5).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q56054583 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Colombian tiple – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Andrés Cabrera – CC BY-SA 3.0