- The Soundbox: Heart of the Instrument -


By Wella



The soundbox is the heart of the instrument, which makes sound through its empty space. When the musician plays, vibrations create sound that flows into this empty space, and this is where the sound is amplified and reverberated, which is how music is made.

The size of the soundbox determines the characteristics of the sound that will be made. Even when two different instruments have an identical shape, a completely different sound will be made from each instrument if the size of the soundbox is different. An instrument with a well made soundbox will have a good balance of high and low tones.

There are instrument artisans today who are putting their hearts and souls into creating grander soundboxes capable of creating beautiful melodies.

Instruments are not the only things that can create beautiful music. People also have a soundbox: We call it the heart.

Music is made when the sounds of an instrument's physical soundbox pass through the emotional soundbox of the musician. In other words, the musician is putting his or her heart into the melodies that come out of an instrument.

There may be a day when you may become unsatisfied with the music you compose or play, and you may face setbacks and even failures during your journey with music. In such times, I recommend you take time to reflect on your own soundbox.

If you take the time to rest and reflect on your heart and soul, you will have the opportunity to tend any wounds you have acquired on the roads of your past. If you cure those wounds and polish your soundbox, you will soon find yourself musically matured.