Stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) are cousins of the piano as they make music with strings vibrating to a certain pitch. But they are different in the sense that the strings of a piano are struck with hammers to create sound, where as a violin player uses a bow to create sound. Sometimes, however, a violinist or other string player plucks the strings with their fingers (as directed in the music as pizzicato). Violin, viola, cello, and bass are not exclusively orchestral instruments. These versatile instruments are used in jazz, country, bluegrass, and other types of music.A hammered dulcimer is very similar to piano in that strings are struck with hammers to produce tones. Unlike the piano, all the strings of a hammered dulcimer are exposed and easily accessed by the musician. As many as four strings can be struck at the same time to produce chords. The player holds two (sometimes four) shaped wooden hammers, playing the strings in combination to produce chords and melodies. A hammered dulcimer is found predominately in folk music and is known for it's unique sound.Even more similar to the piano is the harpsichord, as it has a similar keyboard and notes are ...
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