crossword clue stringed instrument – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "stringed instrument" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, categorized by length, along with helpful explanations to boost your puzzle-solving skills.
Solutions for "crossword clue stringed instrument" by Letter Count
4 Letters
HARP: A large stringed instrument, typically triangular, played by plucking the strings. Popular in orchestras and folk music.
LUTE: A plucked stringed instrument with a body shaped like a half-pear, popular in medieval and Renaissance music for its delicate sound.
5 Letters
VIOLA: A stringed instrument of the violin family, slightly larger than a violin, known for its mellower and deeper tone.
BANJO: A stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator, commonly associated with folk, country, and bluegrass music.
CELLO: A bass instrument of the violin family, held upright on the floor between the legs of the seated player. It provides rich, deep tones to an orchestra.
6 Letters
VIOLIN: A bowed stringed instrument, the highest-pitched and most common member of the violin family, widely used in classical music.
GUITAR: A plucked string instrument, usually with six strings, played by strumming or plucking. One of the most popular instruments worldwide.
7 Letters
UKULELE: A small four-stringed Hawaiian guitar-like instrument, known for its cheerful sound and portability.
8 Letters
MANDOLIN: A stringed musical instrument in the lute family, usually plucked with a plectrum. Often found in folk, bluegrass, and classical ensembles.
10 Letters
CONTRABASS: Another name for the double bass, the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument, forming the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of orchestras.
More About "crossword clue stringed instrument"
Stringed instruments form one of the most diverse and ancient categories of musical tools, producing sound from vibrating strings. This broad category includes everything from the smallest ukulele to the largest double bass, encompassing instruments played by plucking (like guitars and harps), bowing (like violins and cellos), or striking (like pianos, though less commonly clued in this direct context). Their presence in crosswords is frequent due to their rich history, variety, and often unique names.
When encountering "stringed instrument" in a crossword, consider the number of letters first. Shorter answers might point to common, foundational instruments like a HARP or LUTE. Longer answers could suggest more specific or descriptive names like a CONTRABASS or even a particular type of instrument, such as a MANDOLIN or UKULELE. Thinking about the instrument's origin (e.g., Hawaiian for UKULELE) or primary use (e.g., orchestral for VIOLIN) can also help narrow down possibilities.
The beauty of stringed instruments lies in their versatility, capable of producing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms across countless genres. From the classical concerto to a folk jam, their distinctive sounds make them perennial favorites, both in music and in the challenging world of crosswords.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Clue's Nuances: Sometimes "stringed instrument" clues have subtle hints. Look for adjectives or adverbs that might narrow down the instrument's type, origin, or how it's played (e.g., "plucked stringed instrument" vs. "bowed stringed instrument").
- Consider Letter Count First: Always match your potential answers to the given letter count. If a common answer like GUITAR (6 letters) doesn't fit, think of other instruments with the exact required length.
- Cross-Reference with Intersecting Clues: The most effective crossword strategy is using intersecting letters. If you have a few letters from other clues, it drastically reduces the possible answers for "stringed instrument."
- Think Beyond the Orchestra: While violins and cellos are common, remember folk instruments (BANJO, UKULELE) or historical ones (LUTE) are also frequent crossword answers for "stringed instrument."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a stringed instrument answer doesn't fit my puzzle?
Check alternative spellings or less common names for instruments. Also, consider if the clue is looking for a type of string (e.g., 'GUT') or a part of a stringed instrument (e.g., 'BOW'). Crossword setters often use synonyms or related terms or even instrument categories like 'LYRE' or 'ZITHER'.
How can I remember common stringed instrument answers for crosswords?
Familiarize yourself with categories like orchestral instruments (VIOLIN, CELLO, VIOLA), folk instruments (BANJO, UKULELE, LUTE), and classical instruments (HARP, GUITAR). Practice solving puzzles to build recall for frequently appearing answers, and perhaps make a mental list of common lengths for each.
Why do some 'stringed instrument' clues have very short answers?
Sometimes a short answer might refer to a specific part of a stringed instrument (e.g., a 'BOW' for a violin), a sound made by one (e.g., a 'PLUCK'), or a very short, lesser-known instrument name like an 'ERHU' or 'SITAR' (though SITAR is 5 letters). Always check the surrounding letters for context.