Musicologist: Classification of a musical instrument depends on the me

Question

Musicologist: Classification of a musical instrument depends on the mechanical action through which it produces music. So the piano is properly called a percussion instrument, not a stringed instrument. Even though the vibration of the piano’s strings is what makes its sound, the strings are caused to vibrate by the impact of hammers.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the musicologist’s argument?

(A) Musical instruments should be classified according to the mechanical actions through which they produce sound.
(B) Musical instruments should not be classified based on the way musicians interact with them.
(C) Some people classify the piano as a stringed instrument because of the way the piano produces sound.
(D) The piano should be classified as a stringed instrument rather than as a percussion instrument.
(E) It is correct to classify the piano as a percussion instrument rather than as a stringed instrument.

Source: LSAT

Iamnowjust · Answer

The key to answer any CR answer correctly is to find the conclusion. Yes, I know that first sentence sounds tempting, but it’s a pure premise, not a conclusion. In this case the key word “properly” indiacates the real conclusion. So we have a paradox that even though piano makes sounds with strings, it is called percussion instrument.

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DharLog · Answer

I see it this way.
If we had 2, 3 or more examples of instruments described in a passage, option A would possibly be the correct answer.
But what we have here?

Classification of a musical instrument depends on the mechanical action through which it produces music -  not an obvious premise  
So the piano is properly called a percussion instrument, not a stringed instrument -  conclusion 
Even though the vibration of the piano’s strings is what makes its sound, the strings are caused to vibrate by the impact of hammers -  obvious premise 
Half of the passage expains to us why we can not call piano a stringed instrument and why it is called percussion instrument

agrasan · Answer

Option A is wrong because the author specifically talks about Piano as a musical instrument. "Musical instruments" in A is a broad term and can't be a conclusion for the argument.

Rishab2409 · Answer

To find the main conclusion of the musicologist's argument, let's break down the structure of the passage:

Premise 1: Classification of a musical instrument depends on the mechanical action through which it produces music.

Premise 2: Even though a piano has strings, those strings are vibrated by the impact of hammers.

Conclusion: Therefore, the piano is properly called a percussion instrument, not a stringed instrument.

The author uses the general rule (Premise 1) to argue a specific point: how a piano specifically should be classified. The main takeaway—the point the author is trying to prove—is that the piano belongs in the percussion category.

Let's look at the options:

(A) is a premise, not the conclusion. This restates the first sentence, which is the foundational rule the musicologist uses to support their final point.
(B) is outside the scope. The passage doesn't discuss how musicians interact with the instruments.
(C) is a counter-premise. This background info explains why some people might get confused, but it isn't what the author is trying to prove.
(D) is the opposite of the argument. The author is saying the piano is not a stringed instrument.

(E) perfectly matches. This accurately captures the final point of the argument: that the piano is properly (correctly) called a percussion instrument.

Musicologist: Classification of a musical instrument depends on the me

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Musicologist: Classification of a musical instrument depends on the me

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