Zupfidiophone

What are Zupfidiophones?

Zupfidiophones are a group of musical instruments which, according to the classification of Hornbostel-Sachs to the idiophones belong to the idiophones. This means that they are made to sound by plucking elastic plates attached to one side, the so-called reeds. These instruments fascinate with their variety of sounds and their unique way of playing. The term plucked music is outdated.

Functionality and structure

Plucked idiophones are made to vibrate by plucking on slats attached to one side. These slats, also known as reeds, are usually made of metal, wood or bamboo and can be produced in various shapes and sizes. Their variety in material and shape contributes significantly to the tonal diversity of this group of instruments.

Classification of plucked idiophones at a glance

Lamellophone

Lamellophones are musical instruments with several lamellae attached to a board or resonance box, with each lamella producing a sound. These instruments were developed in sub-Saharan Africa and spread there in a wide variety of forms. African music and lamellophones reached South America through the transatlantic slave trade. Outside of Africa, multi-toned lamellophones are not traditionally widespread.

Well-known regional designs are the mbira dza vadzimu of the Shona in Zimbabwe, the kalimba in Malawi and Zambia, the likembe in Congo and Angola and the marimbula in the Caribbean. The lamellas of most instruments are made of metal, but there are also numerous lamellophones with lamellas made from the leaf stalks of raffia palms and bamboo, such as the timbrh in Cameroon.

An interesting Swiss invention is the music box, a mechanical musical instrument that is also a plucked instrument. Here the reeds are plucked over a rotating roller.

Jew's harps

Jew’s harps do not have a resonating body, but are usually only equipped with a tongue that swings in a frame or bracket. The player places the jew’s harp in their open mouth and presses it against their teeth or holds it with their lips, changing the shape and size of the mouth to amplify and modulate the sound.

Susap is the name of a mouth-amplified plucked bamboo instrument widely used in the music of New Guinea. A special form is the Chinese kouxian with five lamellas but without a frame, which is also classified as a jew’s harp due to the sound amplification through the mouth cavity.

Sound diversity and cultural significance

The sound of plucked instruments can vary greatly depending on the material, shape and size of the reed and playing technique. These instruments are widespread in many cultures around the world and are used both as solo instruments and in ensembles. Their long history, which goes back to the earliest days of mankind, testifies to their cultural significance and musical value.