Instrument That Contains Strings NYT: Comprehensive Guide and Analysis

When it comes to crossword clues, some of the most intriguing and puzzling entries can often be centered around musical instruments. A recent crossword clue from the New York Times (NYT) sparked interest: “instrument that contains strings,” which has generated curiosity among crossword enthusiasts and music aficionados alike. The answer may seem simple at first glance, but it opens up an interesting conversation about how instruments are categorized, what defines a string instrument, and the unique aspects of specific instruments.

In this article, we’ll explore the phrase “instrument that contains strings NYT,” dig into the context of the clue, and provide detailed analysis on musical instruments that feature strings in unique ways. This article will go beyond the basic crossword answer and offer deeper insights for both musicians and crossword lovers.

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1. Understanding the NYT Crossword Clue: Instrument That Contains Strings

Crossword puzzles, especially those in prominent outlets like the New York Times, often use clues that rely on wordplay, puns, or less obvious interpretations. The clue “instrument that contains strings” was one such riddle. On its face, this clue leads many to think of instruments like the violin or guitar—typical string instruments.

However, the answer is less conventional: the piano. The piano is not usually thought of as a “string instrument” by non-musicians, but technically, it contains strings, which are struck by hammers to produce sound. This creates a more complex and interesting conversation about instrument classification.

The Crossword Context

In the world of crossword puzzles, clues are not always direct. In this case, the clue highlights an instrument that physically contains strings, but is not necessarily classified as a string instrument in the traditional sense. Thus, the correct answer isn’t something like a guitar, violin, or harp—classic examples of string instruments—but rather a piano.

2. The Puzzle Answer: What Makes the Piano Unique?

The piano, while containing strings, is technically classified as a percussion instrument. This classification is due to the mechanism by which it produces sound: hammers strike the strings when the keys are pressed, generating musical tones.

This distinction can be puzzling to many, as the piano’s sound is closely associated with the strings inside. However, its method of sound production differs from traditional string instruments like the violin or guitar, where the strings are plucked or bowed.

Why Did the NYT Choose This Clue?

The clue “instrument that contains strings” is a clever one because it plays with the layperson’s understanding of musical categories. Most people, when thinking of string instruments, wouldn’t immediately consider the piano, even though it physically contains strings. This is an example of the NYT using its crossword clues to broaden thinking and challenge common assumptions.

3. Classification of Musical Instruments: What Defines a String Instrument?

To understand why the piano isn’t traditionally classified as a string instrument, we need to examine how musical instruments are categorized. Musical instruments are typically divided into four major families:

• Strings: Instruments where sound is produced by vibrating strings, typically bowed or plucked.
• Woodwinds: Instruments where sound is produced by air passing over a reed or through an aperture.
• Brass: Instruments that produce sound through the vibration of the player’s lips as they blow into a mouthpiece.
• Percussion: Instruments that produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped.

The piano’s classification falls under the percussion family, despite containing strings, because the sound is produced by hammers striking the strings, not the strings themselves vibrating from a plucking or bowing motion. This makes it a hybrid of sorts—an instrument that bridges the gap between two categories.

4. Other Instruments That Contain Strings

There are several other instruments that contain strings but may not fit the classic definition of a “string instrument.” Here are a few:

4.1. Harpsichord

The harpsichord is a predecessor to the piano. It also contains strings, but instead of being struck by hammers, the strings are plucked when the keys are pressed. This makes the harpsichord part of the string family, although its mechanics are quite different from modern string instruments.

4.2. Dulcimer

The dulcimer is another string instrument, often classified under folk music. It is played by striking the strings with small mallets, which gives it a unique position among string instruments and places it closer to percussion in terms of play style.

4.3. Altar (as a Non-Musical Clue)

Interestingly, in some crossword contexts, “instrument that contains strings” might also refer to non-musical objects. One such answer is “altar.” While not an instrument in the musical sense, this clue illustrates how crossword puzzles often use wordplay to create associations outside of the musical domain.

5. How Puzzles Shape Our Understanding of Music

Crossword puzzles like the NYT’s don’t just challenge our vocabulary—they often lead us to reconsider how we categorize and understand objects, including musical instruments. The “instrument that contains strings” clue teaches us that definitions can be fluid, and instruments like the piano can occupy multiple categories based on their construction and function.

Crosswords push us to think about things in new ways, helping to expand our understanding of familiar concepts.

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6. Exploring String Instruments in Depth

6.1. The Piano: A Complex Hybrid

As mentioned earlier, the piano is a hybrid instrument. Its inclusion of strings would seemingly place it in the string family, but its method of sound production (hammers striking the strings) places it squarely within the percussion family. This blend makes the piano one of the most unique instruments in the musical world.

6.2. The Harpsichord: A Predecessor to the Piano

Before the piano, the harpsichord was the dominant keyboard instrument in Western music. In a harpsichord, the strings are plucked rather than struck, which aligns it more closely with traditional string instruments. However, like the piano, it relies on keys for playing notes, making it part of the same family of keyboard instruments.

6.3. Guitars: The Quintessential String Instruments

Unlike the piano or harpsichord, the guitar is a classic string instrument. In the guitar, the strings are plucked or strummed directly, and the sound is produced by the vibration of these strings. This direct relationship between the musician and the strings is what defines the guitar as a string instrument in the traditional sense.

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7. Instruments That Don’t Fit the Mold

7.1. Altar: A Non-Musical Use of the Clue

The crossword answer “altar” points to a non-musical interpretation of the clue. While altars do not produce sound, they may sometimes be adorned with decorative items that include strings (such as tapestries or bells). This type of clue is meant to surprise and engage crossword enthusiasts by moving beyond the expected definition.

7.2. The Dulcimer: A Unique String Instrument

The dulcimer is another fascinating example of a string instrument that doesn’t quite fit the traditional mold. Dulcimers are often struck with mallets, making them more akin to percussion instruments, but their strings are what produce the sound. This makes the dulcimer another hybrid, like the piano.

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8. The Role of Strings in Percussion Instruments

Many percussion instruments, such as the piano and dulcimer, utilize strings in unique ways. In these cases, strings are part of the instrument’s construction but are activated in a different way than in traditional string instruments. This section explores how these hybrids challenge our standard musical classifications.

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9. FAQs

9.1. What is the instrument that contains strings but is not a string instrument?

The piano is the best example of this. It contains strings that are struck by hammers, classifying it as a percussion instrument rather than a string instrument.

9.2. What is the NYT crossword clue for an instrument containing strings?

The answer to the NYT crossword clue “instrument that contains strings” is “piano.”

9.3. Why is the piano classified as a percussion instrument?

The piano is classified as a percussion instrument because its strings are struck by hammers when the keys are pressed, rather than being plucked or bowed like traditional string instruments.

9.4. Are there any other crossword clues related to musical instruments with strings?

Yes, crossword puzzles often include clues related to string instruments such as guitars, violins, harps, and more. However, they sometimes use trickier clues like the one about the piano, which contains strings but is classified differently.

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10. Conclusion: A Broader Perspective on Instruments with Strings

The NYT crossword clue “instrument that contains strings” offers an engaging lesson in musical classification and crossword puzzle wordplay. While the piano is the answer, the deeper meaning behind this clue opens up a broader discussion on how we classify musical instruments and how puzzles can reshape our understanding of everyday concepts.

By challenging traditional definitions, clues like this remind us that categories are not always rigid. Instruments like the piano and dulcimer occupy unique spaces in the world of music, blending characteristics from different instrument families.

This exploration highlights the beauty and complexity of musical instruments and offers a new way to think about the piano—not just as a keyboard instrument, but as a hybrid creation that contains the essence of both percussion and string families.

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