How the electric violin makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the electric violin belongs to the electrophones: sound is produced or shaped electronically – synthesizers, the theremin and electric organs.
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
An electric violin is a violin equipped with an electronic output of its sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument intentionally made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body. It can also refer to a violin fitted with an electric pickup of some type, although "amplified violin" or "electro-acoustic violin" are more accurate then.
Other electrophones
Frequently asked questions
What does an electric violin sound like?
As one of the electrophones, its sound comes from the way sound is produced or shaped electronically.
What type of instrument is the electric violin?
It is classified as electrophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 513).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q685663 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Electric violin – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Muchi-no-chi – CC BY 2.5