A musical instrument is comprised of a keyboard, a strummer, and a processor. The keyboard and strummer send event messages to the processor whenever a key is pressed, or a string is plucked, respectively. At the time a string is plucked, the processor dynamically assigns a note to the string, based on which keys are depressed. The dynamic note assignment ensures that the top, or a predefined string is part of any selected chord or scale passage. In response to strummer and keyboard events, the processor selects different timbres or articulations of the note including: clean, thumb harmonics, muted, hammer-on, or pull-off. The processor plays back recorded samples or synthesized tones to emulate the sounds of different playing techniques on an acoustic, electric, bass guitar or other stringed instruments.