Plectrum

A plectrum (plural: plectra) is a device for plucking or strumming a stringed instrument. In guitars, banjos, and similar instruments, the plectrum is a separate tool held in the player's hand. In harpsichords, the plectra form part of the mechanism of the instrument.

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Main article: Guitar pick

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A plectrum for guitars typically takes the form of a narrow isosceles triangle with rounded corners; the acutest angle is the one commonly used to pluck the string. Such a plectrum can also be called a pick (or a flatpick to distinguish it from fingerpicks). They are made of a variety of materials, including tortoise shell and celluloid, but today plastic is the most common. The size, shape and thickness may vary considerably. Items such as small coins may successfully be used as a substitute plectrum if the need arises, and in fact Brian May (guitarist from the band Queen) has made the use of a coin part of his signature sound.

Stringed instrument: redirect string instrument...

Guitar: The guitar is a stringed musical instrument. It is generally played with the fingers of the left hand. The right hand plucks the strings with either the fingers or a plectrum, (guitar pick). The sound is produced by vibrating strings, which in turn resonate the body and neck....

Banjo: The banjo is a stringed instrument, derived from the "banjar", a stringed instrument of American origins, sometimes called the "gourd banjo". The banjar, in turn was based on the African "akonting". Some etymologists derive it from a dialectal pronunciation of "bandore", though recent research sugg...