Soundhole

Soundhole (Fr.: ouïe; Ger.: Schalloch), the soundholes of chordophones are of great antiquity and appear in Egypt at least 3000 years ago. The oldest known types are very small, circular holes, a number of which were pierced in the belly, in the East often on the back or sides of the instr., forming definite patterns. Smaller soundholes have assumed a variety of shapes and patterns. Larger holes are usually single, placed in the center of the belly, or paired as on violins. Sometimes the center…