How the inanga makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the inanga belongs to the harps: strings run at an angle away from the soundboard, each plucked open.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The inānga (also known as enanga, ennanga, ikivuvu, and indimbagazo) is a traditional musical instrument played in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It consists of a slightly concave soundboard framed by a thick notched rim which holds strings in place over the board. Ināngas typically have between six and eight strings.
Other harps
Frequently asked questions
What does an inanga sound like?
As one of the harps, its sound comes from the way strings run at an angle away from the soundboard, each plucked open.
What type of instrument is the inanga?
It is classified as harps (Hornbostel–Sachs 322.11).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1660902 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Inanga (instrument) – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Shabanmasengesho – CC BY-SA 4.0