cittern
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The cittern or cithren (Fr. cistre, It. cetra, Ger. Cister, Sp. cistro, cedra, cítola) is a stringed instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the medieval citole (or cytole). Its flat-back design was simpler and cheaper to construct than the lute. It was also easier to play, smaller, less delicate and more portable. Played by people of all social classes, the cittern was a popular instrument of casual music-making much like the guitar is today.
Key facts
- Instrument.name
- Cittern
- Instrument.names
- Fr. cistre, It. cetra, Ger. Cister, Zister, Sp. cistro, cedra, cítola
- Instrument.image
- MuseuMusicaBCN 8845.jpg
- Instrument.caption
- Cittern exhibited at the Music Museum of Barcelona
- Instrument.classification
- String instrument (plucked)
- Instrument.hornbostel_sachs
- 321.322-5
- Instrument.hornbostel_sachs_desc
- necked box lute, plucked with fingers
- Instrument.developed
- 16th century
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Cistre, s. XVI, MDMB 331.jpg
Show 2 more facts
- Commons category
- Cittern
- Hornbostel-Sachs classification
- 321.321-5
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~5 min read
Article
8 sectionsContents
- History
- Pre-modern citterns
- 16th to 18th centuries
- Modern citterns
- See also
- Bibliography
- References
- External links
The cittern or cithren (Fr. cistre, It. cetra, Ger. Cister, Sp. cistro, cedra, cítola) is a stringed instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the medieval citole (or cytole). Its flat-back design was simpler and cheaper to construct than the lute. It was also easier to play, smaller, less delicate and more portable. Played by people of all social classes, the cittern was a popular instrument of casual music-making much like the guitar is today.
== History == === Pre-modern citterns ===