string instrument zither Archives • String Kings Music

Zither Facts

The zither is an instrument similar to a psaltery, with many strings stretched across a thin, flat body. The number of strings can vary from twelve to more than fifty. Zithers can be played in many different ways. The strings can be plucked with the fingers, or alternatively with a plectrum or pick. They can also be strummed with a bow, or sounded by beating them with specially designed hammers.

Like a guitar or lute, a zither’s body serves as a resonating chamber, or sound box. Unlike guitars and lutes a zither does not have a separate neck assembly.

Kantele Finnish Folk Zither

More Zither Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a zitherist. Notable zitherists include Shirley Abicair, Basia Bulat, Dorothy Carter, Kerry Christensen, Pauline Kruger Hamilton, PJ Harvey, Karineh Hovhanessian, Anton Karas, Rudi Knabl, Alberta Krader, Max Maier, Adolf Schneer, Wilfried Scharf, Manfred Schuler, Tomy Temerson, Mindy Meng Wang, Ruth Welcome, Henry Wormsbacher, Chen Xiyao, Wang Xunzhi.

Paloma Swarmandal (Zither)

The Swarmandal is a Plucked Box Zither, Originating from India

Joseph Cotten
Orson Welles lists ‘Citizen Kane’ as his best film, Alfred Hitchcock opts for ‘Shadow of a Doubt,’ and Sir Carol Reed chose ‘The Third Man’—and I’m in all of them.

The Third Man

Starring Alida Valli and Joseph Cotten
Music by Anton Karas

The Third Man Starring Alida Valli and Joseph Cotten 1949 Photo Print Licensed Reproduction

The Third Man (1949)

Celebrated director Carol Reed moved unknown Viennese musical performer Anton Karas to his home in London. Working from Reed’s oak dining table, the pair collaborated on the score for three months. Karas worked up to 14 hours each day, composing and recording the film’s zither-only score.

“The Third Man Theme” topped the music charts in 1950. Moreover, the film’s trailer stated that Karas would have the audience “in a dither with his zither.” Anton Karas and his unique instrument gained international fame as a result of this exposure.

Time Magazine “Dither Zither” (1949)
The picture demanded music appropriate to post-World War II Vienna, but director [Carol] Reed had made up his mind to avoid schmaltzy, heavily orchestrated waltzes. In Vienna one night Reed listened to a wine-garden zitherist named Anton Karas, and was fascinated by the jangling melancholy of his music.

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Music Maker Lap Harp

Product details:

Handmade with quality hardwoods in Belarus
7-inch top width, 14-inch bottom width, 1-inch thick
Measures 8 inches top to bottom
Tuned to a 2-octave G major scale
Video Lesson: Tuning a Zither / Lap Harp to G Major
Includes tuner, pick, extra metal string, 12 song sheets
Slip song sheet under strings for an easy playing guide
“Oppenheim Toy Portfolio” Platinum Winner

Music Maker – Play Beautiful Music Instantly Anyone Can Play the Music Maker Regardless of Experience

Gusli Russian Plucked String Instrument

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Zither Shirts and Gifts Collection

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The Golden Zither – 13 Songs Played by World Famous Rudi Knabl – Holder of the Bavarian Order of Merit – Audio CD Hymns of Grateful Praise – Kerry Christensen at the Austrian Zither – Beautiful Instrumental Renditions -Audio CD Zither Player Spun Polyester Tote Bag – Measures 16 x 16 inches with Two Sturdy Cotton Webbing Handles Zither Musical Instrument Watercolor Splash Abstract Zithers Silhouette Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Choose From 5 Colors