What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harps
Example
She played the harp beautifully at the concert. [harp: noun]
Example
He was learning how to play the harp for his school's music program. [harp: noun]
chordophone
Example
The guitar is a popular chordophone instrument. [chordophone: noun]
Example
The orchestra featured several chordophones in their performance. [chordophones: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Harps is a more commonly used term in everyday language, while chordophone is a technical term used mainly by musicologists and ethnomusicologists.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harps and chordophone?
Chordophone is a more formal term used mainly in academic and technical contexts, while harps can be used in both formal and informal settings.
