Concussion idiophones are defined by which mechanism?

• A. Two Objects Striking Each Other
• B. Struck By Mallets
• C. Vibration Of Strings
• D. Air Column Resonance

Answer: (A)

Concussion idiophones produce sound from the collision of two solid objects. That defining mechanism is what creates the vibration and the resulting tone, as when two blocks or pieces of metal clash together. Instruments like castanets or two wooden blocks struck against each other illustrate this clearly.

If you were struck by mallets, the sound comes from a single piece being excited by the impact, which is a different way to generate vibration and belongs to another classification. Vibration of strings points to chordophones, where stretched strings vibrate to produce sound. Air column resonance refers to aerophones, where vibrating air inside a tube or column makes the pitch.