The Violinzither or Violinharp is a string instrument of the zither family, invented in 1925 by Clemens Neuber in Klingenthal.[1] The instrument is a cross between the fretless chord zither and a concert zither. [2]

Violinzither
Violinzither with five sets of accompianing strings
Other namesViolinharp
Hornbostel–Sachs classification314.122-71
Inventor(s)Clemens Neuber
DevelopedEarly 20th century
Related instruments
Ukelin

History

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The instrument normally has eighteen melodic strings arranged in two vertical rows, with the scale alternating between rows. The instrument has a diatonic tuning in C major, with a range of two and a half octaves, from c' to f'' (C4 to F5). Some models of the instrument were also created with semichromatic or chromatic tunings. [3] with five or six sets of strings serving as an accompaniment, which are plucked with the left hand. A violin bow (about 55cm long) held by the right hand is used to play the melodic strings.[4]

A variant of the violin zither, the concert violin harp, was created by Max Lausmann. Many violin zithers were sold under the name "Kalliope" by the company C. A. Wunderlich.[5] Violinzithers have been manufactured luthier C. Robert Hopf since the 1920s.[6]

References

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  1. ^ D.R.G.M Patent No. 903152
  2. ^ Mühlemann, Lorenz (2005). Die griffbrettlosen Zithern : 1880 bis heute : ein europäisches Kompendium und dokumentarisches Bilderbuch (1. Aufl ed.). Bern: H.e.p. ISBN 3-7225-0012-5. OCLC 64136411.
  3. ^ "Die große Familie der Zithern". 2007-10-23. Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  4. ^ Reinbothe, Heimut (1987). Musik aus alter Zeit für zwei Akkordeon. Deutscher Verlag für Musik. p. 7. OCLC 439680090.
  5. ^ D.G.R.M Patent No. 973507
  6. ^ "C. Robert Hopf". www.hopf-zithern.de. Retrieved 2022-11-10.

See also

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