How the mejoranera makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the mejoranera 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 mejoranera or mejorana is a folkloric chordophone from Panama. It is carved from one block of wood (usually cedar) or from dry fibers of Bejuco, and is shaped like a small guitar.
It has five nylon, horse hair, or gut strings. The mejoranera is tuned in either an e'-b-a-a'-d' (by 2) or an e'-b-g-g'-d' (by 6) sequence
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a mejoranera 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 mejoranera?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.322).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q6810507 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Mejoranera – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Claireislovely – Public domain