Zither, the cithern

Zither, the cithern, the modern representative of the ancient cithara, is a popular and common instrument in Tyrol, and of late years has become more widely known. It is a flat stringed instrument, having a wooden frame and flat sounding-board with from twenty-nine to forty-two strings. When to be used it is placed on a table or on the knees, and the strings are played by the right hand, the thumb being armed with a metallic plectrum to bring out the melody more prominently. Its tone is clear, keen, and melodious.