Chitarrone

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The Chitarrone is a kind of lute that was popular around 1600. It has an extended neck to hold the very long bass strings. These strings have no fingerboard, and are played "open" - each string sounding only its own pitch. The high (short) strings have their own fingerboard with frets, and are fingered like those of the modern guitar.

Family
Strings
Pitch range
Up to four octaves.
Material
Wooden body and neck, with strings of gut or metal.
Size
Up to about 6 ft (1.80 m) long, of which the body is 28 in (70 cm).
Origins
The chitatrrone first appeared in Italy during the 16th century, and was in common use there until the middle of the 17th century.
Classification
Chordophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of strings.
And also...
The name of the chitarrone stems from the Greek word "kithara," which translates as "lyre." Like the ancient Greek lyre, the chitarrone was used mainly to accompany solo singing.

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