Mistaken Instrument
Identity: Autoharp, Zither, Dulcimer, & Harpsichord
The autoharp
is such an obscure folk instrument that it seems no one ever remembers
what it is called. Since 1999 I've had people call it a dozen different
things from Zither to Dulicmer, Harpsichord to Harp, or even a Hammer
Dulcimer. But I'm sorry to say, it is just called the Autoharp or
Chromaharp by some.
So to
help clarify things a big, let me tell ye a little about the other
instruments:
Zither
According
to the Dictionary, the zither is a stringed instrument consisting
of usually 30-40 strings stretched over a flat-sounding box. It is
played horizontally with the fingertips, a plectrum, a bow, or sometimes
by wind, as is the case with the Aeolian harp.
Traditionally,
it is a folk instrument of Austria and the Bavarian Alps. The melody
strings are stopped against frets on the finger board while being
plucked with a plectrum.
Alternate
names: zitera, cithara, kitthar, cither, zithern., or German version
of the cittern.
Some
also call the Pennsylvania German zither, the German concert zither,
the guitar-zither, and some plucked psalteries zither's as well.
 Fretted
Dulcimer
 My
dad used to play the fretted dulicmer. Fretted dulicmers are usually
either hourglass-shaped or tear-drop shaped instruments with three
or four strings and a fretted fingerboard. It is usually held flat
across the knees while being plucked or strumed. It's a popular instrument
for American folk music.
Alternate
names: Appalachian dulicmer, mountain dulicmer.
The FolkRoots
"California" dulcimer style is characterized by it's deep body (2
1/4") and longer scale length (29 1/4") giving it more volume than
traditional dulcimers. Body dimensions are 36 1/2" long X 7 3/4" wide.
Fingerboard width is 1 3/8". All solid woods, metal tuning gears and
ebony nuts & bridges are standard.
Hammer Dulcimer
The
Hammer Dulcimer is a trapezoidal zither instrument, with stretched
metallic wires that are beaten with two light felt-tipped 'hammers'.
It is an ancient musical instrument that may go as far as back as
the times of the Old Testament, as it is named in Daniel 3:5, 15.
The Hammer
Dulcimer pictured is an extended note range Hammered Dulcimer with
concert sound. In addition to arched construction, the sound board
is suspended away from internal frame members by a special bracing
system. The result is a much bigger sound than expected for the physical
size of this instrument.
 Harpsichord
A harpsichord
is a keyboard instrument whose strings are plucked by means of quills
or plectrums. It is of German origin and was made popular from the
16th to 18th centuries.
 Harps
If you
happen to mention an autoharp without having one visibile, many people
will think you are talking about a harp. But try again.
Harps
are ancient instruments usually upright triangular framed instruments
with pillar or curved neck and a hollow back containing the sounding
board. There are usually 46 or 47 strings of different lengths that
are played by plucking with the fingers and occasionally come with
pedals.
Similiar
instruments: Lyre
The Erin
Harp pictured above is a light weight, light medium string tensioned
travel harp, perfect for strolling minstrels and the casual harpist.
Its 22 strings are pitched from the "C" below middle "C"
to the second "C" above. (3 octaves) giving it a good bass
range and playing versatility for its size. The body, neck and pillar
are made of solid Mahogany. The soundboard is Baltic Birch. Height
is 36". Maximum width is 20". Soundboard width is 7.5".
Weight is 7 pounds! Loveland sharping levers may be added optionally.
Includes removable display feet.
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