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Why can electric guitars be played in noisy venues?
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stringed instrument
A Japanese musician plucking the strings of a koto with the right hand to generate a pitch and pressing the strings with the left hand to alter the tone.
Electric guitars can be played in noisy venues because they utilize electronic amplification to project sound at a much higher volume than acoustic instruments.1
By using pickups—electromagnetic devices that convert the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals—the instrument allows the player to send these signals to an external amplifier or speaker. This technology was specifically developed to address the need for greater volume and projection in ensemble settings, enabling guitarists to compete with the sound of brass and reed sections in big bands or to be heard clearly in crowded, noisy clubs.1