A course, on a stringed musical instrument, is either one string or two or more adjacent strings that are closely spaced relative to the other strings, and typically played as a single string. The strings in each multiple-string course are typically tuned in unison or an octave.
Normally, the term course is used to refer to a single string only on an instrument that also has multi-string courses. For example, a nine-string baroque guitar has five courses: most are two-string courses but sometimes the lowest or the highest consists of a single string.
An instrument with at least one multiple-string course is referred to as coursed, while one whose strings are all played individually is uncoursed.[citation needed]
Multiple string courses were probably originally employed to increase the volume of instruments, in eras in which electrical amplification did not exist, and stringed instruments might be expected to accompany louder instruments (such as woodwinds or brass). Eventually, however, they came to be employed to alter the timbral characteristics (the "tone") of instruments as well.
Strings within a multistring course may have all the strings tuned to the same pitch (e.g. mandolins); they may be tuned to the same pitch class but in different octaves (e.g. Tiple); or the strings may be tuned to different pitches, usually for special effect.[1]
Examples of instruments that use two-string courses include:
As may be seen, some instruments contain courses with differing numbers of strings. A typical piano, for example, contains courses with one, two, and three strings, in different parts of its range.
All members of the mandolin family, except some versions of the lowest-pitched, have courses each of two or three strings, most commonly eight strings in four courses.
The exception is some varieties of mando-bass, which have four individual strings.
The twelve-string guitar has twelve strings, in six courses. The courses are most often tuned E-A-D-G-B-E, similarly to a six-string guitar; however, older instruments were often tuned one tone lower D-G-C-F-A-D to reduce the tension on the neck, and commonly played with a capo on fret 2.
The lowest three courses (E-A-D) are normally tuned at octaves, with the primary string uppermost and the octave below it, while the upper two courses (B-E) are tuned to unison. The G course is either unison or at octaves.
The national instrument of Colombia, the tiple Colombiano, has four courses of three strings each. Its higher-pitched relative, the tiple requinto, is similarly triple-strung.
The American tiple, a smaller instrument loosely derived from the Colombian tiple, uses two double-strung courses and two triple-strung courses.
The electric twelve-string bass has twelve strings in four triple courses. Basses have also been built with six double courses and other configs but these are very rare.
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Course music news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message A course on a stringed musical instrument is either one string or two or more adjacent strings that are closely spaced relative to the other strings and typically played as a single string The strings in each multiple string course are typically tuned in unison or an octave Waldzither courses Oud courses Normally the term course is used to refer to a single string only on an instrument that also has multi string courses For example a nine string baroque guitar has five courses most are two string courses but sometimes the lowest or the highest consists of a single string An instrument with at least one multiple string course is referred to as coursed while one whose strings are all played individually is uncoursed citation needed Contents 1 Rationale and types 2 Mandolins 3 Lutes 4 Guitars 4 1 Baroque guitar 4 2 Twelve string guitar 5 Tiple 6 Twelve string bass 7 See also 8 ReferencesRationale and types EditMultiple string courses were probably originally employed to increase the volume of instruments in eras in which electrical amplification did not exist and stringed instruments might be expected to accompany louder instruments such as woodwinds or brass Eventually however they came to be employed to alter the timbral characteristics the tone of instruments as well Strings within a multistring course may have all the strings tuned to the same pitch e g mandolins they may be tuned to the same pitch class but in different octaves e g Tiple or the strings may be tuned to different pitches usually for special effect 1 Examples of instruments that use two string courses include Saz Bajo quinto Bajo sexto Baroque guitar Bouzouki Charango family Chitarra battente Cittern Cimbalom Cumbus Eight string bass guitar Gittern Lute Mandolin family Mandore instrument Oud Piano Portuguese guitar family Springtime a seven string guitar with three coursed strings Tar Tres Twelve string guitar Vihuela Viola guitar Examples of instruments that use three string courses include Saz Cimbalom Guitarron chileno Mandriola Piano Tiple colombiano Twelve string bassExamples of instruments that use four or more string courses include Cimbalom Guitarron chilenoAs may be seen some instruments contain courses with differing numbers of strings A typical piano for example contains courses with one two and three strings in different parts of its range Mandolins EditMain article mandolin All members of the mandolin family except some versions of the lowest pitched have courses each of two or three strings most commonly eight strings in four courses The exception is some varieties of mando bass which have four individual strings An acoustic 12 string guitar The one shown here is an Ibanez instrument Lutes EditMain article luteGuitars EditBaroque guitar Edit Main article Baroque guitar The baroque guitar has five courses with the bottom four always double strung and the top string the chanterelle either double or single There are also several patterns of modern ten string guitar but all have ten single strings played individually Twelve string guitar Edit Main article Twelve string guitar The twelve string guitar has twelve strings in six courses The courses are most often tuned E A D G B E similarly to a six string guitar however older instruments were often tuned one tone lower D G C F A D to reduce the tension on the neck and commonly played with a capo on fret 2 The lowest three courses E A D are normally tuned at octaves with the primary string uppermost and the octave below it while the upper two courses B E are tuned to unison The G course is either unison or at octaves On some electric twelve string guitars and most notably the Rickenbacker 360 12 the octave strings are below the primary strings Tiple EditMain article Tiple Tiple Colombiano American tiple This section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed April 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The national instrument of Colombia the tiple Colombiano has four courses of three strings each Its higher pitched relative the tiple requinto is similarly triple strung The American tiple a smaller instrument loosely derived from the Colombian tiple uses two double strung courses and two triple strung courses Twelve string bass EditMain article twelve string bass Detail of twelve string bass The electric twelve string bass has twelve strings in four triple courses Basses have also been built with six double courses and other configs but these are very rare See also EditDrone music References Edit See for Example Retrieved from https en 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