I have recently been commissioned to make a monochord for Welsh National Opera. This is an instrument that was popular 500 BC and played by Pythagorus, he saw great significance in the mathematical proportions of the played string. He named notes 4ths, 5ths and 3rds and we still use these terms today. It is essentially a stringed soundbox. The key component on the monochord is the moveable bridge. The instrument I have just made is the superior 2 string version giving one resonator (sympathetic) and one played string which is either plucked or bowed. The WNO are using the monochord in a show to be performed next year with specially composed music by Karen Wimhurst for children about the life of Pythagorus. There are some pics here to see it. A pick-up microphone has been built into the monochord as it will need to be amplified for a big stage. The apple in the photo gives a sense of scale.