Zither Information and FAQs

DEFINITION

The family name of all instruments which have strings stretched across a box. Popular in central Europe, In addition to the melody strings, the Concert Zither has a guitar type fretboard (similar to the epinette des vosges), and other models have strings grouped together in chords.

INTRODUCTION

All of the instruments in the zither family have a flat soundboard with strings stretched across. All the dulcimers are part of this family too. The autoharp is the most popular zither these days, as it is very easy to play and good to sing with. The Hammered Dulcimer is traditionally played across the British Isles, and variations are found all over the world from the Santoor to the Cymbalom.

SOME TYPES OF ZITHER

Appalachian Dulcimer | Autoharp | Bandura | Bowed Psaltery | Cheng (1) | Cymbala | Cymbalom | Dulcimer | Epinette Des Vosges | Gousli | Gu Zheng | Guo Qin | Gusli | Hackbrett | Hammered Dulcimer | Hummel | Kankles | Kanoun | Kantele | Kanun | Khim | Koto | Psaltery | Qanun | Sanduri | Santoor | Santour | Stumstick | Tsymbaly | Txun-Txun | Tzeze | Yang Qin

Appalachian Dulcimer

Definition: Name applied to certain musical instruments of the box zither type. Includes Hammered Dulcimer and Appalachian Dulcimer.
Introduction: Descended from the Northern European zithers, the Appalachian Dulcimer developed in the Appalachian mountains of the Eastern USA, where it was used in old time music. Its popularity has spread because of its delicate sound, and the ease with which it can be played. An ideal instrument for song accompaniment.

Autoharp

Definition: Zither with a keyboard chord making mechanism which mutes unwanted strings. Strummed or Picked.
Introduction: The Autoharp is associated with with American, particularly Appalachian, folk music. It is a development of the zither dating from the 1880s in Germany. The Autoharp is almost identical to a Chord Zither with the addition of a set of spring wooden bars with felt dampers which effectively fret and dampen the relevant strings for each chord. The Autoharp is currently easily the most popular instrument in the zither family,

Bandura

Definition: type of psaltery found in the Ukraine; short neck, oval, flat body; held vertically.

Bowed Psaltery

Definition: Box zither; A 20th Century (probably) adaptation of the psaltery in a triangular shape allowing for bowing on alternate sides. Other psalteries are usually plucked.
Introduction: The Bowed Psaltery is a triangular instrument with tuning pins on the short end and strings running from there to posts at intervals along each side. The strings are played between the posts with a short arched bow. It is generally tuned in a chomatic 2 octave scale with black notes on the left and the white on the right as seen from the blunt end.

Cheng (1)

Definition: Half tube plucked zither of the Han chinese.

Cymbala

Definition: A modern small trapezium shaped plucked zither, designed for use by children.
Introduction: The Cymbala is a great way for children to learn music and pick out songs for the first time. Usually comes with song charts to go under the strings.

Cymbalom

Definition: Box zither of Hungary, related to earlier hammered folk zithers.

Dulcimer

Definition: name applied to certain musical instruments of the box zither type. Includes Hammered Dulcimer and Appalachian Dulcimer.

Epinette Des Vosges

Definition: French instrument of the dulcimer family, oblong often with 7 strings, 3 of which are fretted. For more info: Visit Christophe Toussaint’s Site (en Francais)

Gousli

Definition: traditional Russian zither/harp with 16 metal strings.

Gu Zheng

Definition: Long Chinese zither, typically with 21 strings, also known simply as Zheng (Gu meaning ancient). Related to Japanese Koto
Introduction: The Gu Zheng is said to be the oldest instrument of China. It is a long plucked 21 string zither with movable bridges and is played seated with the instrument on a stand. D major pentatonic is a standard tuning. The melody is played at the top (right hand side) with the right hand using four finger picks. The left side of the string is also used to bend the note and for vibrato effects. In modern styles the left of the bridges can be played to produce harmony or counterpoint. The instrument is commonly played by women in China.

Guo Qin

Definition: 7 stringed Chinese zither.

Gusli

Definition: A Russian psaltery or zither. Exists in both a trapezium shape with around 15 strings similar to a Finnish Kantele, and also a pig snout shape similar to a mediaeval psaltery. Recently makers are adding semitone tuning levers.

Hackbrett

Definition: German /Austrian/ Swiss instrument similar to hammered dulcimer & santoor. Tuned chromatically, played only on one side of the bridges.

Hammered Dulcimer

Definition: Large trapezoidal zither with many strings in pairs, 3s or 4s stretched over long (sometimes individually moveable) bridges. Played with small wooden or cane hammers. Played in British Isles and North America. Closely related to the Hungarian cymbalom, German/Swiss hackbrett, Iraqi and Iranian santir (probably the origin of all of these), Indian santoor, Korean yangum and Chinese yang qin.
Introduction: The Hammer or Hammered Dulcimer is larger instrument than the mountain dulcimer it is played by hitting the strings with wooden or cane hammers. It has large trapezium shaped solid wooden frame with a wooden soundboard and back plate. It has many strings in pairs, 3s or 4s stretched over long (sometimes individually moveable) bridges.
It is played in the British Isles and North America.

Hummel

Definition: Dutch/Flemish instrument of the dulcimer family.

Kankles

Definition: Lithuanian zither, related to Finnish gousli or kantele, solo instrument and for ensembles.

Kanoun

Definition: (also quanun, kanun) zither/psaltery of the Middle East, related to the hammered dulcimer, usually 3 strings per course and adjustable tuning bridges.

Kantele

Definition: known by other names including ‘gousli’; Finnish folk instrument of the psaltery type. Also popular in the Baltic states.

Kanun

Definition: 72 stringed harp or dulcimer of the Near East, see also qanun and kanoun.

Khim

Definition: Similar to the Hammered Dulcimer, the Khim was introduced to Thailand from China (see Yang Qin), and has been adapted somewhat to accommodate local music styles, Also known in Cambodia by the same name.

Koto

Definition: From Japan: longest of the long zithers of East Asia; about 6 feet long; 13 silk strings; this narrow instrument is laid horizontally, each string with its own movable bridge.

Psaltery

Definition: box zither; raised wooden board or box with soundholes, with strings stretched parallel to the soundboard and attached at either side by wooden pegs or metal pins; usually plucked.

Qanun

Definition: Arabic and Persian spelling of Kanun

Sanduri

Definition: Greek term for the zither; also applied to the cymbalon.

Santoor

Definition: stringed instrument originating in Iran, belonging to the category of zithers; struck with two hammers; see Hammered Dulcimer, Tsimbaly, Cymbalom, Hackbrett etc.

Santour

Definition: same as santoor, santur (Iran), sanduri.

Stumstick

Definition: Modern cross between the Appalachian Dulcimer and a small guitar. Has 3 courses of strings as on the dulcimer, but with a very small triangular shaped body and a long neck.

Tsymbaly

Definition: The Ukrainian hammered dulcimer.

Txun-Txun

Definition: A percussion instrument from the French part of Basque Country. It has usually 6 strings giving C and D over a resonant wooden box, hit with a stick. It is usually played with the txirula.

Tzeze

Definition: A simple stick zither from Uganda (apparently there is a pic in Eyewitness books – Music pub. Dorling Kindersley, London 1989)

Yang Qin

Definition: Chinese hammered dulcimer; came into China from Persia in the 17th century and now regarded as a Chinese national instrument.