This string instruments list includes eight of the most popular string instruments with pictures of each. If a grown up reads the list with you two or three times, do you think you can then identify the pictures of instruments on the string instruments list? We bet each time you’d remember more string instruments! Some of these might even look familiar! Chances are you saw them in the 88 Instruments book, written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Louis Thomas.
But, first things first:
What is a string instrument?
A string instrument is an instrument that makes sound from vibrating strings when a musician plays the strings. How the musician plays the strings, differ based on the instrument. Some string instruments are plucked while others must be played with a bow. When you pluck an instrument, you use your hands or fingers to pick the string and make it vibrate. A bow is like a special long stick that you move across the strings of an instrument to make a vibration, which then creates sound. All instruments vibrate to create sound — but string instruments use strings to create that vibration.
See and hear how some string instruments are played:
What string instruments are plucked?
Perhaps the most widely recognized string instrument that is plucked is the guitar. If you’ve ever had a musical story time at your local library or park, chances are you saw someone play a guitar, or maybe a ukulele. Both of these are string instruments that people pluck. Other words for plucking are strumming or picking. The electric guitar, banjo, double bass, and harp are other string instruments that are plucked.
What string instruments use a bow?
Bow instruments include the cello, viola and violin.
Look closely at the string instruments list. We’ve included some of the most popular string instruments, though there are more. Using the free string instruments pdf, see if you can answer these three questions:
Q: What is the smallest string instrument?
A: Violin
Q: What is the biggest string instrument?
A: Double bass
Q: Which string instrument might someone play at a campfire?
A: Guitar
How to Help Kids Distinguish String Instruments
Learning the different string instruments names and sounds can seem daunting for little kids but there are ways to turn that around and make it exciting. How? Let kids touch different instruments, play the instruments even with zero experience, and watch/listen to how the instruments are played correctly.
Look for string instruments online. Here’s a YouTub video that shows different instruments and explores their sounds – this is key. You want kids to learn the names of instruments but also learn the sounds. A show and tell-type class is usually very well received!
Want more musical worksheets and musical activities for kids? Take a look at these:
Make a giant piano on the sidewalk with chalk
Make a piano out of paper with this DIY piano craft / letter P craft
Put guitars in order from shortest to tallest with this sorting by size worksheet
We hope you discovered some new sounds through this string instruments list!
