Plectrum instruments are those that are played with the help of a plectrum, which is a tool that is used to pick at or strum the instrument’s strings to produce sound. A plectrum is also known as a “pick,” and playing is known as “picking.” Plectrum instruments can be found in a variety of cultures and produce a variety of sounds. Many are intended to be played as solo instruments in intimate settings where the sound can be heard clearly, but they can also be played in small groups or in concert.
Plectrum instruments are divided into two categories. The guitar is a classic example of an instrument that is played with a handheld plectrum. Depending on the instrument and the musician, the plectrum can be worn on the hand or held between the fingers. The harpsichord, for example, has a mechanism with plectrums mounted in it. The piano, which uses a similar mechanism, is not a plectrum instrument because the strings are struck rather than plucked or thrummed, resulting in a completely different sound.
Guitars, lutes, zithers, and mandolins are examples of plectrum instruments from Europe. The banjo is a native plectrum instrument in the Americas, having been developed by slaves imported from Africa. The oud is popular in the Middle East, while the sitar is popular in India. The shamisen and sanxian are well-known instruments in East Asia, and they can be found in many musical arrangements.
Depending on how the user manipulates the plectrum, picked instruments can produce a variety of sounds. He or she can also alter the vibration of the strings to produce specific desired sounds; for example, some traditional songs call for slapping the strings of the instrument to disrupt the vibration, and some instruments can be played simultaneously with a hand plectrum and bare hands for a more complex sound.
Because the principles are fairly simple, many musicians begin by learning plectrum instruments. Others may move on to other types of instruments, such as string instruments and wind instruments, after developing incredible levels of skill on such instruments. Because plectrum instruments are popular and often inexpensive, instruction in them is available in most parts of the world; those interested in learning can search for “music lessons” and their location to see what comes up.