What is the differences between string instruments and other instruments?

Answer 1

This is a good (but potentially loaded) question.

A string instrument is typically defined as one where strings are strummed, plucked, or bowed to produce a vibration. (ie: guitar, harp, viola)

Percussion instruments are struck or shaken to produce vibrations. (ie: drums, cymbals, bells, maracas)

The interesting part of this question is regarding the piano. It is considered percussion because the strings are struck with hammers to produce sound. Alternatively, the harpsichord (a baroque instrument similar to the piano and with a similar arrangement of keys) vibrates because the strings are plucked by a mechanism inside the instrument when the keys are depressed. The harpsichord is considered a string instrument.

One more thing: the harpsichord, due to the mechanism by which the strings are plucked, produces only two degrees of volume -- soft and loud. This feature suited the harpsichord to baroque music, with alternating soft and loud sections being a defining characteristic of the time.

The piano, though, because the hammers strike the strings with a force proportional to the how hard the keys are played, produces all variations of sound from soft to loud. In Italian, the words are "piano" and "forte" (soft and loud.) The instrument we know today was shortened from its original name, "piano-forte," to the familiar "piano."

Answer 2

a string instrument uses only strings either plucked or strung or slided. While a woodwind has to have air propelled through it by the mouth. The reason a woodwind is called a woodwind because it has reed made out of wood that the person playing the instrument clenches with the instrument and his/her teeth and blow air through it.

Answer 3

They are made from wood and are played with bows.

Answer 4

each instrument is held and played differently

eg:

a violin,cello and viola with a bow and a guitar with a pick

Answer 5

A musician would blow air into a wind instrument (Flute, Trumpet, etc), while the musician would pluck or stroke with a bow a string instrument (violin, guitar, etc).