How does a santoor produce sound?

Answer 1

The player sits cross-legged and puts the instrument on his lap. It is played with two heavy wooden drumsticks. On the long sides on top of the instrument 15 wooden bridges each, that are stringed with 2 or 3 strings, are positioned opposite each other. The strings are struck towards the middle part of the instrument. Thus 30 notes with 60 or 90 strings respectively are available. The strings are stringed on the sides of the instrument on metal pins and can be turned by a tuning key. A usual tuning is a diatonic scale on the right row of bridges. The left row then complements the semitones that are missing in the diatonic scale. In order to receive particularly full and resonant sounds, the whole instrument can alternatively be tuned to the pentatonic scale.

Answer 2

A santoor produces sound by the strings being struck with a pair of wooden mallets called "mezrab." When the strings are struck, they vibrate and produce sound that resonates inside the wooden body of the instrument, creating its distinctive tone. Adjusting the pressure and technique of striking the strings can produce different tones and dynamics.