Violinzither
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 with five sets of accompianing strings | |
| Other names | Violinharp |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 314.122-71 |
| Inventor(s) | Clemens Neuber |
| Developed | Early 20th century |
| Related instruments | |
| Ukelin | |
History
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
- D.R.G.M Patent No. 903152
- 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.
- "Die große Familie der Zithern". 2007-10-23. Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- Reinbothe, Heimut (1987). Musik aus alter Zeit für zwei Akkordeon. Deutscher Verlag für Musik. p. 7. OCLC 439680090.
- D.G.R.M Patent No. 973507
- "C. Robert Hopf". www.hopf-zithern.de. Retrieved 2022-11-10.