Zither
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This Modern Alpine, or concert zither was developed for city musicians in the early 20th century. It is distinct from other zithers in the way that it is played. The melody strings are plucked with a pick attached to the right thumb, and stopped with the left hand. The open strings form the accompaniment.
| Family |
| Strings |
| Pitch range |
| About five-and-a-half octaves including fretted and open strings. |
| Material |
| Wooden soundlbox, with metal, gut, or nylon strings. |
| Size |
| About 27 in (68 cm) long ; 13 in (33 cm) wide. |
| Origins |
| Different types of zither have been used since prehistoric times. Those with frets under some of the strings date from the 1660s or earlier. This example developed in early 19th-century Austria. |
| Classification |
| Chordophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of strings. |
| And also... |
| Johann Strauss (1804-49) used the zither in his waltz "Tales from the Vienna Woods." |
