Which instrument uses a technique of plucking to produce vibrations?

The instrument that uses a technique of plucking to produce vibrations is the mbira. This traditional African instrument, often referred to as a thumb piano, consists of metal tines of varying lengths that are attached to a wooden board or resonator. When a player plucks the tines with their thumbs, they create sound through the vibration of the metal against the body of the instrument. This distinctive method of sound production is an essential characteristic of the mbira, setting it apart from other instruments listed.

While the guitar also employs plucking techniques, it typically uses a combination of strumming and fingerpicking, making it less purely focused on the act of plucking. The piano, on the other hand, produces sound through hammers striking strings and does not involve plucking. The cello, being a string instrument, is played using a bow or by plucking strings (a technique known as pizzicato), but its primary method involves bowing to create sound.