Certain types of musical instruments, such as those of the violin family, the guitar, the clarinet and recorder, the xylophone, and the marimba, are traditionally made mostly or entirely of wood. The choice of wood may make a significant difference to the tone and resonant qualities of the instrument, and tonewoods have widely differing properties, ranging from the hard and dense african blackwood (used for the bodies of clarinets) to the light but resonant European spruce (Picea abies), which is traditionally used for the soundboards of violins. The most valuable tonewoods, such as the ripple sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), used for the backs of violins, combine acoustic properties with decorative color and grain which enhance the appearance of the finished instrument. COUNT 5
QSN1 What kind of wood are clarinet bodies made from? ANS1 african blackwood QSN2 What expensive wood with a prized color is used to make the backs of violins? ANS2 ripple sycamore QSN3 What category of wood is often used for musical instruments? ANS3 tonewoods QSN4 What's the common name for Picea abies? ANS4 European spruce QSN5 Along with resonance, what property of an instrument will be affected by the wood used to make it? ANS5 tone