How Do Musical Instruments Actually Produce Sound?

Are you curious about how musical instruments create the diverse and captivating sounds we hear? Musical instruments produce sound through vibrations, and at streetsounds.net, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of sonic creation, offering a comprehensive exploration of how instruments generate the sounds that fill our lives. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, an aspiring sound engineer, or simply a curious music lover, join us as we explore the science, technology, and artistry behind musical sound production, from the physics of vibration to the unique characteristics of various instruments and soundscapes.

1. What is the Basic Science Behind How Musical Instruments Produce Sound?

Musical instruments produce sound through vibration, which creates sound waves that travel to our ears. These vibrations are transformed into electrical signals that our brains interpret as sound. The key elements include:

Vibration: The initial movement or oscillation that starts the sound production.
Sound Waves: The propagation of vibrations through a medium, like air.
Resonance: The amplification of sound when an object vibrates at its natural frequency.

According to research from the New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, in July 2025, understanding these basic principles can help musicians and sound engineers to improve the sound quality of musical instruments.

2. How Does Vibration Initiate Sound in Different Types of Instruments?

The method of initiating vibration varies across different instrument families. Each approach produces unique timbral qualities:

String Instruments (Chordophones): Plucking, bowing, or striking strings causes them to vibrate. The length, tension, and thickness of the string determine the pitch.
Wind Instruments (Aerophones): Blowing air into or across an instrument causes a column of air inside to vibrate. The shape and length of the instrument determine the pitch and timbre.
Percussion Instruments (Idiophones and Membranophones): Striking, shaking, or scraping the instrument causes it to vibrate. The material, shape, and size of the instrument determine the sound.

The vibrations of an acoustic guitar string, influenced by tension, length and thickness, are crucial in defining its unique pitch and sound.

3. What Are Idiophones and How Do They Produce Sound?

Idiophones are instruments that produce sound through the vibration of their entire body. Common examples include:

Bells: Striking a bell causes it to vibrate and produce a clear, ringing sound.
Xylophones: Striking the bars of a xylophone with mallets produces distinct pitches.
Cymbals: Striking cymbals together or with a drumstick creates a crashing sound.

These instruments rely on the material and shape of the instrument to create their unique sounds.

4. What Role Do Membranophones Play in Sound Production?

Membranophones produce sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane. Key characteristics include:

Drums: Striking the drumhead with a stick or hand causes it to vibrate. The size and tension of the drumhead determine the pitch.
Kazoos: Humming into a kazoo vibrates a membrane, altering the sound of the voice.
Tambourines: Shaking or striking a tambourine causes the membrane and attached jingles to vibrate.

The membrane’s material and tension are crucial in determining the sound produced.

5. How Do Chordophones Create Melodies and Harmonies?

Chordophones, or string instruments, create sound through vibrating strings. Here’s how:

Guitars: Plucking or strumming the strings causes them to vibrate. Frets allow the player to change the length of the string and produce different pitches.
Violins: Bowing the strings causes them to vibrate continuously. The player can change the pitch by pressing the strings against the fingerboard.
Pianos: Striking a key causes a hammer to hit a string, producing a note. The length and thickness of the string determine the pitch.

Chordophones are versatile instruments capable of producing a wide range of melodies and harmonies.

6. What Makes Aerophones Unique in Sound Production?

Aerophones produce sound by vibrating a column of air. Notable examples include:

Flutes: Blowing air across the lip plate causes the air inside the flute to vibrate. Holes in the flute allow the player to change the pitch.
Trumpets: Buzzing the lips into the mouthpiece causes the air inside the trumpet to vibrate. Valves allow the player to change the length of the air column and produce different notes.
Organs: Air is blown through pipes of different lengths to produce different pitches.

Aerophones are known for their sustained tones and expressive capabilities.

7. How Has the Classification of Electrophones Evolved?

Electrophones produce sound through electronic means. The evolution includes:

Early Electronic Instruments: Instruments like the Theremin, which produces sound through radio frequencies controlled by the player’s hand movements.
Synthesizers: Instruments that generate sound through electronic circuits. Synthesizers can mimic acoustic instruments or create entirely new sounds.
Digital Instruments: Instruments that use digital technology to create and manipulate sound. This includes samplers, digital pianos, and software synthesizers.

The electrophone category has expanded significantly with technological advancements, offering limitless possibilities for sound creation.

8. What is Timbre and How Does It Affect Instrument Sound?

Timbre, often described as the color or tone quality of a sound, is influenced by:

Harmonics: The presence and intensity of different overtones in a sound.
Envelope: The way a sound’s amplitude changes over time (attack, decay, sustain, release).
Formant Regions: Specific frequency ranges that are emphasized by the instrument’s physical structure.

Timbre is what allows us to distinguish between different instruments playing the same note. Understanding and manipulating timbre is essential for sound design and music production.

9. How Do Acoustics and Resonance Enhance Sound Quality in Instruments?

Acoustics and resonance play crucial roles in enhancing the sound quality of instruments:

Soundboard: The soundboard of a piano or guitar amplifies the sound produced by the strings through resonance.
Body Shape: The shape of a violin or cello affects the way sound waves resonate within the instrument, influencing its timbre and projection.
Air Column: The length and shape of the air column in a wind instrument determine its resonant frequencies and tonal characteristics.

These acoustic properties are carefully designed to optimize the instrument’s sound.

10. What Are Some Examples of Innovative Sound Production Techniques in Modern Instruments?

Modern instruments and techniques push the boundaries of sound production:

Prepared Piano: Placing objects on or between the piano strings to alter their sound.
Extended Techniques: Unconventional ways of playing instruments, such as bowing the strings of a guitar with a violin bow or using multiphonics on a wind instrument.
Electronic Effects: Using effects pedals and processors to manipulate the sound of an instrument in real-time.

These innovations expand the sonic palette available to musicians and composers.

11. How Do String Instruments Produce Different Pitches and Tones?

String instruments (chordophones) produce varying pitches and tones through several key factors:

String Length: Shorter strings produce higher pitches, while longer strings produce lower pitches. This is why instruments like the guitar and violin have strings of varying lengths.
String Tension: Tighter strings vibrate faster, resulting in a higher pitch. Adjusting the tension of a string is a primary way to tune string instruments.
String Thickness (Mass): Thicker, more massive strings vibrate more slowly, producing lower pitches. This is why bass strings are thicker than treble strings.
Material: Different string materials (e.g., steel, nylon, gut) have different densities and elasticities, affecting the timbre or tonal quality of the sound.
Playing Technique: Plucking, bowing, or striking the string produces different timbres and dynamic ranges. Harmonics can be created by lightly touching the string at specific points.

The interplay of these elements allows string instruments to produce a wide range of musical sounds.

12. What Is the Role of the Sound Hole in Acoustic Instruments?

The sound hole in acoustic instruments like guitars and violins plays a crucial role in sound projection and resonance:

Sound Projection: The sound hole allows the sound waves produced inside the instrument to radiate outwards, increasing the instrument’s volume and projection.
Resonance: The sound hole acts as a vent, allowing air to move in and out of the instrument’s body. This movement helps to amplify certain frequencies and enhance the instrument’s overall resonance.
Timbre: The size, shape, and placement of the sound hole can affect the instrument’s timbre, influencing which frequencies are emphasized or dampened.
Acoustic Coupling: The sound hole couples the internal vibrations of the instrument with the surrounding air, creating a more complex and nuanced sound.

The design of the sound hole is carefully considered by instrument makers to optimize the instrument’s acoustic properties.

13. How Do Wind Instruments Manipulate Airflow to Create Sound?

Wind instruments (aerophones) create sound by manipulating airflow in various ways:

Vibrating Air Column: The primary method is to create a vibrating column of air inside the instrument. This is achieved by blowing air into or across a mouthpiece, reed, or edge.
Pitch Control: The pitch of the sound is controlled by changing the length of the air column. This is accomplished using valves, slides, holes, or keys that open or close different sections of the instrument.
Embouchure: The player’s embouchure (the way they shape their mouth and lips) plays a crucial role in controlling the tone, pitch, and articulation of the sound.
Reed Vibration: In reed instruments like clarinets and saxophones, the player’s breath causes a reed to vibrate against a mouthpiece, creating the initial sound wave.
Edge Tone: In flutes and recorders, the player blows air across a sharp edge, creating a turbulent flow that generates sound waves.

Different wind instruments employ unique mechanisms to manipulate airflow and produce their characteristic sounds.

14. Can You Explain the Physics of How Brass Instruments Produce Sound?

Brass instruments produce sound through a combination of the player’s lip vibrations and the instrument’s resonant properties:

Lip Vibration: The player buzzes their lips into the mouthpiece, creating a vibrating source of sound.
Resonance: The instrument’s tubing acts as a resonator, amplifying certain frequencies and shaping the overall tone.
Harmonic Series: Brass instruments primarily produce sound based on the harmonic series. The player selects different harmonics by adjusting their embouchure and breath control.
Valves/Slides: Valves or slides are used to change the length of the tubing, allowing the player to access different harmonic series and play a wider range of notes.
Bell Shape: The shape of the bell at the end of the instrument affects the instrument’s projection, timbre, and overall loudness.

The physics of brass instruments involves complex interactions between the player’s body, the instrument’s design, and the properties of sound waves.

15. How Do Percussion Instruments Generate Diverse Sounds?

Percussion instruments generate diverse sounds through various methods of striking, shaking, or scraping:

Material: The material of the instrument (e.g., wood, metal, skin) greatly influences the timbre and sustain of the sound.
Shape and Size: The shape and size of the instrument determine its resonant frequencies and overall pitch range.
Striking Technique: Different striking techniques (e.g., using different mallets, striking different parts of the instrument) can produce a wide range of timbres and dynamics.
Membrane Tension: In membranophones (drums), the tension of the drumhead affects the pitch and sustain of the sound.
Resonators: Some percussion instruments have resonators (e.g., timpani) that amplify certain frequencies and enhance the instrument’s tone.
Combination of Elements: Instruments like the snare drum combine a vibrating membrane with rattling snares to create a complex and characteristic sound.

The diversity of percussion instruments allows them to create a wide range of rhythmic and timbral textures.

16. What Are the Key Components of a Synthesizer and How Do They Create Sound?

Synthesizers create sound through electronic circuits and various modules:

Oscillator: Generates the initial sound wave, which can be a sine wave, square wave, sawtooth wave, or triangle wave.
Filter: Shapes the timbre of the sound by attenuating or amplifying certain frequencies. Common filter types include low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters.
Amplifier: Controls the amplitude (volume) of the sound over time.
Envelope Generator: Creates a time-varying control signal that shapes the sound’s amplitude, filter cutoff, or other parameters. Common envelope shapes include ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release).
LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator): Generates a low-frequency signal that can be used to modulate other parameters, creating effects like vibrato, tremolo, and wah.
Modulation Matrix: Allows different modules to be connected and controlled by each other, creating complex and evolving sounds.
Sequencer: Records and plays back a sequence of notes or control signals, allowing the synthesizer to play automatically.

Synthesizers offer a vast range of possibilities for sound creation and manipulation.

17. How Do Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) Enhance Musical Instrument Sound?

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) enhance musical instrument sound through various digital processing techniques:

Recording and Editing: DAWs allow musicians to record, edit, and arrange audio tracks with precise control.
Mixing and Mastering: DAWs provide tools for mixing multiple audio tracks together, adjusting levels, panning, and EQ to create a balanced and polished sound.
Effects Processing: DAWs offer a wide range of effects plugins, such as reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, and compression, which can be used to enhance or transform the sound of musical instruments.
Virtual Instruments: DAWs can host virtual instruments (software synthesizers, samplers) that emulate the sound of real instruments or create entirely new sounds.
Automation: DAWs allow musicians to automate the changes in parameters over time, creating dynamic and evolving sounds.
Collaboration: DAWs facilitate collaboration between musicians, allowing them to share projects and work together remotely.

DAWs have revolutionized the way music is created and produced, offering unprecedented control and flexibility.

18. What Are Some Unusual or Experimental Methods of Sound Production?

Unusual or experimental methods of sound production include:

Prepared Piano: Placing objects (e.g., screws, bolts, rubber erasers) on or between the piano strings to alter their sound.
Extended Techniques: Unconventional ways of playing instruments, such as bowing the strings of a guitar with a violin bow or using multiphonics on a wind instrument.
Circuit Bending: Modifying electronic devices (e.g., toys, effects pedals) to create new and unexpected sounds.
Found Sounds: Incorporating everyday sounds (e.g., traffic noise, bird calls, machine sounds) into musical compositions.
Biofeedback: Using sensors to translate biological data (e.g., brainwaves, heart rate) into musical parameters.
Gesture Control: Using motion sensors or cameras to control musical parameters through physical gestures.

These experimental methods push the boundaries of sound production and challenge traditional notions of music.

19. How Can I Learn More About the Science of Sound and Musical Instruments?

To delve deeper into the science of sound and musical instruments:

Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer courses on acoustics, music theory, and sound design.
Books: “The Science of Sound” by Thomas D. Rossing, “Musical Acoustics” by Donald E. Hall, and “Sound Synthesis Theory and Practice” by Martin Russ are excellent resources.
University Programs: Many universities offer programs in acoustics, music technology, and sound engineering.
Online Communities: Forums and online communities dedicated to music production, sound design, and acoustics can provide valuable insights and support.
Workshops and Conferences: Attending workshops and conferences related to sound and music can provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
Streetsounds.net: Explore our articles, sound libraries, and community forums for a wealth of information and inspiration.

20. What Resources Does streetsounds.net Offer for Exploring Sound Production?

Streetsounds.net offers a rich array of resources for sound enthusiasts and professionals alike:

Extensive Sound Libraries: High-quality recordings of diverse soundscapes, including urban environments, natural settings, and unique sound effects.
In-Depth Articles: Detailed explorations of sound production techniques, instrument design, and the science of acoustics.
Community Forums: A vibrant community where you can connect with fellow sound enthusiasts, share your work, and learn from others.
Expert Interviews: Insights from leading sound designers, musicians, and researchers in the field.
Tutorials and Workshops: Practical guides and hands-on workshops to enhance your skills in sound recording, editing, and design.
Latest Trends: Stay updated with the latest innovations in sound technology and creative applications.
Inspiration: Discover new ideas and approaches to sound through curated collections and featured projects.

At streetsounds.net, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge, tools, and community support you need to explore the fascinating world of sound production.

21. How Do Sound Waves Interact with Different Materials in Instrument Construction?

The interaction of sound waves with materials significantly influences an instrument’s timbre and resonance:

Density and Elasticity: Materials with high density and elasticity (e.g., metals) tend to produce brighter, more resonant sounds, while materials with lower density and elasticity (e.g., wood) tend to produce warmer, more dampened sounds.
Damping: Materials can dampen or absorb sound waves, reducing the instrument’s sustain and overall loudness.
Reflection and Refraction: Sound waves can be reflected or refracted by materials, creating complex patterns of interference that affect the instrument’s tone.
Vibration Modes: Different materials vibrate in different modes, which can affect the instrument’s timbre and overall sound quality.
Acoustic Impedance: The acoustic impedance of a material affects how efficiently it transmits sound waves. Materials with similar acoustic impedance tend to transfer sound energy more efficiently.
Composite Materials: Some instruments are made from composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber) that combine the properties of different materials to achieve specific acoustic characteristics.

The choice of materials is a crucial aspect of instrument design, influencing its sound in complex ways.

22. What Role Does Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Play in Modern Sound Production?

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) plays a pivotal role in modern sound production:

Audio Effects: DSP algorithms are used to create a wide range of audio effects, such as reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, and distortion.
Equalization: DSP is used to adjust the frequency balance of audio signals, allowing engineers to shape the overall tone and clarity of recordings.
Compression: DSP is used to reduce the dynamic range of audio signals, making them louder and more consistent.
Noise Reduction: DSP algorithms are used to remove unwanted noise from audio recordings.
Time Stretching and Pitch Shifting: DSP allows engineers to change the speed and pitch of audio signals without affecting each other.
Audio Restoration: DSP is used to repair damaged or degraded audio recordings, such as old tapes or vinyl records.
Spatial Audio: DSP is used to create immersive audio experiences, such as surround sound and virtual reality audio.

DSP has revolutionized the way sound is recorded, processed, and manipulated, offering unprecedented control and flexibility.

23. How Do Microphones Capture Sound and Convert It into Electrical Signals?

Microphones capture sound and convert it into electrical signals through various mechanisms:

Dynamic Microphones: Use a diaphragm attached to a coil of wire suspended in a magnetic field. Sound waves cause the diaphragm to vibrate, which in turn moves the coil and generates an electrical signal.
Condenser Microphones: Use a diaphragm that acts as one plate of a capacitor. Sound waves cause the diaphragm to vibrate, changing the capacitance and generating an electrical signal.
Ribbon Microphones: Use a thin ribbon of metal suspended in a magnetic field. Sound waves cause the ribbon to vibrate, generating an electrical signal.
Piezo Microphones: Use a piezoelectric crystal that generates an electrical signal when subjected to mechanical stress. These are often used in contact microphones.

The electrical signal generated by the microphone is an analog representation of the original sound wave.

24. What Are the Different Types of Microphones and Their Applications?

Different types of microphones are designed for specific applications:

Dynamic Microphones: Rugged and versatile, often used for live sound reinforcement and recording loud sources like drums and guitar amps.
Condenser Microphones: More sensitive and detailed than dynamic microphones, often used for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and overhead drum mics.
Ribbon Microphones: Warm and smooth sound, often used for recording vocals, horns, and guitar amps.
Shotgun Microphones: Highly directional, used for capturing sound from a distance in film and television production.
Lavalier Microphones: Small and discreet, used for capturing speech in interviews and presentations.
USB Microphones: Convenient and easy to use, often used for podcasting, streaming, and home recording.

The choice of microphone depends on the specific application and the desired sound quality.

25. How Does the Shape of a Concert Hall Affect Sound Quality?

The shape of a concert hall significantly affects sound quality:

Reverberation Time: The time it takes for sound to decay in a room. Optimal reverberation time depends on the type of music being performed.
Early Reflections: Sound waves that reflect off surfaces near the stage and reach the audience shortly after the direct sound. These reflections can enhance clarity and envelopment.
Late Reflections: Sound waves that reflect off surfaces further away from the stage and reach the audience later in time. These reflections contribute to the room’s reverberation.
Diffusion: The scattering of sound waves by irregular surfaces, such as textured walls and ceilings. Diffusion can create a more even distribution of sound in the room.
Focusing: Concave surfaces can focus sound waves, creating hotspots of high intensity and dead spots of low intensity.
Standing Waves: Resonant frequencies that can cause certain notes to be amplified or attenuated in certain parts of the room.

Acousticians carefully design concert halls to optimize these factors and create an ideal listening environment.

26. Can You Explain How Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Works?

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works by:

Microphone Detection: Microphones on the headphones detect ambient noise.
Inversion: An electronic circuit inverts the phase of the noise signal.
Playback: The inverted noise signal is played back through the headphones’ speakers.
Cancellation: The inverted noise signal cancels out the ambient noise, creating a quieter listening experience.

ANC is commonly used in headphones and other audio devices to reduce unwanted background noise.

27. What Are Binaural Recordings and How Do They Create a 3D Sound Experience?

Binaural recordings capture sound:

Two Microphones: Using two microphones placed in or near the ears of a dummy head or a person.
Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF): The recording captures the unique way sound waves are altered by the shape of the head, ears, and torso.
3D Sound: When the recording is played back through headphones, the listener perceives a 3D sound experience, with sounds appearing to come from different directions and distances.

Binaural recordings can create a highly realistic and immersive sound experience.

28. How Does the Doppler Effect Influence the Perception of Sound?

The Doppler Effect is:

Frequency Shift: The change in frequency of a sound wave due to the relative motion between the source and the observer.
Approaching Source: When a sound source is approaching, the frequency appears to increase, resulting in a higher pitch.
Receding Source: When a sound source is receding, the frequency appears to decrease, resulting in a lower pitch.

The Doppler Effect is commonly observed with sirens, car horns, and other moving sound sources.

29. What Are Some Common Misconceptions About How Musical Instruments Produce Sound?

Common misconceptions about sound production include:

Sound Travels Instantly: Sound travels at a finite speed, which is much slower than the speed of light.
Vacuum Silence: There is no sound in a vacuum because sound waves require a medium to propagate.
Louder = Higher Pitch: Loudness and pitch are independent properties of sound.
Instruments One Frequency: Musical instruments produce a single, pure frequency. In reality, they produce a complex blend of frequencies called harmonics or overtones.
Digital Bad Analog Good: Digital audio is inherently inferior to analog audio. Well-designed digital systems can achieve very high levels of accuracy and transparency.

Understanding the true nature of sound can help musicians and audio engineers make better decisions about sound production and recording.

30. How Can Streetsounds.net Help Me Explore the World of Sound?

Streetsounds.net is your ultimate destination for exploring the world of sound:

Extensive Sound Library: Discover a vast collection of high-quality sound effects, loops, and samples to enhance your creative projects.
Informative Articles: Dive into our in-depth articles on sound design, acoustics, and music production to expand your knowledge.
Community Engagement: Connect with fellow sound enthusiasts, share your work, and collaborate on projects in our vibrant community forums.
Expert Resources: Access tutorials, workshops, and interviews with leading sound professionals to hone your skills.
Creative Inspiration: Find inspiration for your own sound projects by exploring our curated collections and featured artists.
Latest Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in the world of sound.
Personalized Support: Contact our team for personalized support and guidance on your sound-related inquiries.

At streetsounds.net, we are passionate about sound and committed to helping you explore its endless possibilities. Visit us today at 726 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, United States, call us at +1 (212) 998-8550, or browse our website at streetsounds.net to start your sound journey.

In the classroom, the meticulous arrangement of acoustic instruments emphasizes their essential role in understanding the fundamentals of musical sound production.

FAQ: How Do Musical Instruments Produce Sound?

1. How Do Musical Instruments Produce Sound?

Musical instruments produce sound primarily through vibrations, which create sound waves that travel to our ears. These vibrations are initiated in various ways depending on the instrument type, such as plucking strings, blowing air, or striking a surface.

2. What are the Four Main Categories of Musical Instruments?

The four main categories, according to the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, are idiophones (instruments that vibrate themselves), membranophones (instruments with vibrating membranes), chordophones (instruments with vibrating strings), and aerophones (instruments that vibrate air).

3. How Do String Instruments Produce Different Pitches?

String instruments produce different pitches by varying the length, tension, and thickness of the strings. Shorter, tighter, and thinner strings produce higher pitches, while longer, looser, and thicker strings produce lower pitches.

4. How Do Wind Instruments Produce Sound?

Wind instruments produce sound by vibrating a column of air inside the instrument. The pitch is controlled by changing the length of the air column using valves, slides, or finger holes.

5. What is Timbre and How Does It Affect Instrument Sound?

Timbre is the unique tonal quality or color of a sound, determined by the presence and intensity of various overtones or harmonics. It’s what allows us to distinguish between different instruments playing the same note.

6. What Role Does Resonance Play in Sound Production?

Resonance occurs when an object vibrates at its natural frequency, amplifying the sound. Instruments use resonance to enhance their volume and tonal characteristics, often through soundboards or resonating chambers.

7. How Do Synthesizers Create Sound?

Synthesizers create sound electronically by generating and manipulating waveforms through oscillators, filters, amplifiers, and other modules. They can mimic acoustic instruments or create entirely new sounds.

8. How Do Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) Enhance Instrument Sound?

DAWs enhance instrument sound through recording, editing, mixing, and mastering tools. They also offer virtual instruments and effects plugins that can transform and refine the sound.

9. What are Some Unusual Methods of Sound Production?

Unusual methods include prepared piano (placing objects on piano strings), extended techniques (unconventional playing methods), circuit bending (modifying electronic devices), and using found sounds from everyday environments.

10. How Can I Learn More About Sound Production?

You can learn more through online courses, books, university programs, online communities, workshops, and resources like streetsounds.net, which offers articles, sound libraries, and community forums.

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