What stringed instrument (plucked) has the most delicate/intimate/soft sound?

Discussion in 'Working with Sound' started by Ambar, Dec 30, 2021.

  1. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    One instrument

     
  2. Aileron

    Aileron Audiosexual

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    Does "Sitar" count?
     
  3. nyaa13

    nyaa13 Producer

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  4. Lieglein

    Lieglein Audiosexual

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    Probably harp or one of the lute family.
     
  5. JMOUTTON

    JMOUTTON Audiosexual

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    Nylon strings and cat gut chordophones played without plectrums, so harps/lutes/classical guitars played using fingers and hands.

    However this is kind of like asking what sledge hammer the nicest when you hit someone with it.
     
  6. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    I love its sound, but not in this case
     
  7. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    Nice I will check the lute family
     
  8. garfinkle

    garfinkle Platinum Record

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    IMO - the Charango.

    Listen to anything my Gustavo Santaolalla (Deadwood, Babel, etc).

    Exquisite.

    I bought one from a guy in Melbourne and stumbled my way through a film soundtrack with the aid of one. A really stunning instrument.

    Listen to this:
     
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  9. Strat4ever

    Strat4ever Rock Star

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    gently bowed violins most definitely
     
  10. nyaa13

    nyaa13 Producer

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    Yeah Sitar is great indeed, I love it as well, but from Indian stringed instruments Swarmandal must have the softest, most delicate sound I think. I know you said one instrument only but since I got reminded of it, I thought I should mention it as well.

    :hillbilly:


     
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  11. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    The title says "plucked" :dunno:

    The tree cubano can be soft , that's what you hear in the intro.

     
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  12. Gre89

    Gre89 Member

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    Not to forget the Gu Zheng! Kinda random example:


    (is it even a legit Gu Zheng...?:unsure:)
     
  13. samsum

    samsum Platinum Record

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    A pleasant plucking feather?

    plucking feather 1.png
     
  14. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    Any nylon stringed instrument plucked with the bare fingers sans fingernails.
     
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  15. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    Yes I've been listening to some charango music, its bright and soft sound is really pleasant however as far as I know charango and ronroco is not the same (the video says "ronroco")
     
  16. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    Yeah I love them but they produce too much "harmonics" (for my taste, in these moments)
     
  17. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    Never heard about that instrument, I checked more videos and its high notes sounds really nice and bright, I will take it into account.
     
  18. phumb-reh

    phumb-reh Guest

    Best Answer
    Guzheng and Sitar have already been mentioned, but as someone who's not into bluegrass or country I still find the pedal steel guitar great:

     
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  19. Ambar

    Ambar Producer

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    That gu Zheng sounds different to me or maybe it is the way she plays the instrument. I have to check more guzheng music.

    Why??
     
  20. casesmear

    casesmear Member

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    Delicate you say?

     
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