Name of Instrument:
Zither
Family:
String
How to Play:
The player places the zither across his knees or on top of a table. The strings are plucked by a plectrum worn by the player on the right thumb. The right hand also plays the accompaniment while the left hand plays the melody.
History of Zithers:
Instruments that have strings and soundboards of the same length are generally called zithers. These instruments can be bowed, plucked or struck with wooden mallets. It may be long, such as the koto of Japan, or flat. Flat zithers have several subcategories such as box zithers that can either be bowed or plucked. The yangqin of China is an example of a struck zither.
Zither Varieties:
The earliest types of zithers were called "ground zithers" before it evolved into "board zithers." Other varieties of zithers emerged such as the Salzburg zither that has one rounded side and the Mittenwald zither that has 2 rounded sides. These types of zithers developed during the 18th century.
Related Video:
Here's a video tutorial by Lotte Landl on the concert zither from YouTube.