What causes vibration in musical instruments?

The vibration in musical instruments is caused by the back-and-forth motion of the strings, membranes, or air columns that produce sound. When a string is plucked, blown, or bowed, it starts to vibrate and creates sound waves. Similarly, when air is blown across an edge, such as in a flute or clarinet, it causes the air column inside the instrument to vibrate and produce sound. The shape, size, and tension of the string or membrane, as well as the length and shape of the air column, determine the specific pitch and tone of the sound produced. These vibrations are amplified and shaped by the body of the instrument, giving each instrument its characteristic sound.