hammer (musical instrument)

A hammer in musical terms usually refers to a technique or a type of keyboard instrument sound, such as in piano playing, where the player quickly presses a key to produce a sound. When a pianist uses a "hammer" motion, they strike the key with their finger to generate a note, relying on the instrument's mechanism to produce a tone. In a broader sense, the term can also describe a specific playing technique involving rapid, percussive touches on strings or keys. It emphasizes attack and precision, creating expressive, dynamic sound qualities.