1:16 The Song cards go underneath the strings & you strum the strings over the line of dots from left to right, & it's a very old idea that's based on other kinds of Zithers which included them, like the Hawaiian Tiple, Orchestrola Zither, & many other types of Zithers too. So w/ that in mind let's hear the instrument in action, this song is Ah vous dirai-je, Maman (K. 265) by W.A. Mozart which people know as Twinkle Twinkle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, & ABC's on the other side of the pond. It's also a Christmas Carol called Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann or in English Santa Clause is Coming Tomorrow. You could also play the instrument like a hammered Dulcimer by hitting the strings w/ Mallets.
Thank you James for ID'ing my instrument for me..And you answered the questions I was about to email to you .I was given an tiny old harp instrument and didnt know what it was called or how it was tuned .I tuned it to some open chord that sounded like japanese background music when played ,I now know it is a zither and tuned to open G .Thank you James.
So glad to find you video. I have recently got handed down a lap harp. And am looking for sheet music my 5 year old daughter and i can learn together. The Lap harp came with out music sheets. And it also came without a tuner. I can hear it needs it. We are looking to preserve this magical instrument. Where can we simply buy the tuner and some sheets of music to get us started? Thank you kindly.
James i noticed that each pair of stringson the zither , is a single string doubled back to two separate tuners ,when looking at it as a pair of strings and two tuners do I tune the doubled single string in unison or separate notes LIts tuned separate notes now and that wasnt easy to get in pitch ..I couldnt begin to explain the chord it's tuned in now ,it a mix of a sushi y# maj7on the bottom section and a demolished suicide z flat on the top treble side . love your craft ,beautiful
I built and play a 15 string hog nose psaltery (only one bridge) Something I have never see on these tutorials is the way to play all the sharps and flats of the chromatic scale. I 'ruined' a 3/8 inch cold chisel by rounding and polishing the edge. Now I can touch it to any string 1/17th of the vibrating length from the bridge and get the half steps. This is the easiest string instrument to play for obvious reasons, but it is not at all limited to the diatonic scale or any other basic tuning. You can also use the screwdriver blade on your Swiss army knife... You do have a Swiss army knife don't you? Lol! .
1:16 The Song cards go underneath the strings & you strum the strings over the line of dots from left to right, & it's a very old idea that's based on other kinds of Zithers which included them, like the Hawaiian Tiple, Orchestrola Zither, & many other types of Zithers too. So w/ that in mind let's hear the instrument in action, this song is Ah vous dirai-je, Maman (K. 265) by W.A. Mozart which people know as Twinkle Twinkle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, & ABC's on the other side of the pond. It's also a Christmas Carol called Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann or in English Santa Clause is Coming Tomorrow. You could also play the instrument like a hammered Dulcimer by hitting the strings w/ Mallets.
A version w/ Chord accompaniment strings, & other options like Chromatic Versions, Double Octave Strung, etc. Pickups would help w/ recording.
Great instrument!
This instrument is also known as a plucked psaltery or 'lap harp'
Very very good job, thanks.
Thank you James for ID'ing my instrument for me..And you answered the questions I was about to email to you .I was given an tiny old harp instrument and didnt know what it was called or how it was tuned .I tuned it to some open chord that sounded like japanese background music when played ,I now know it is a zither and tuned to open G .Thank you James.
might also be a lap harp/plucked psaltery
So glad to find you video. I have recently got handed down a lap harp. And am looking for sheet music my 5 year old daughter and i can learn together. The Lap harp came with out music sheets. And it also came without a tuner. I can hear it needs it. We are looking to preserve this magical instrument. Where can we simply buy the tuner and some sheets of music to get us started? Thank you kindly.
James i noticed that each pair of stringson the zither , is a single string doubled back to two separate tuners ,when looking at it as a pair of strings and two tuners do I tune the doubled single string in unison or separate notes LIts tuned separate notes now and that wasnt easy to get in pitch ..I couldnt begin to explain the chord it's tuned in now ,it a mix of a sushi y# maj7on the bottom section and a demolished suicide z flat on the top treble side . love your craft ,beautiful
Thank you so for learning how to play it is awesome
Please tell me the tuning notes starting from the low g?
I built and play a 15 string hog nose psaltery (only one bridge) Something I have never see on these tutorials is the way to play all the sharps and flats of the chromatic scale. I 'ruined' a 3/8 inch cold chisel by rounding and polishing the edge. Now I can touch it to any string 1/17th of the vibrating length from the bridge and get the half steps. This is the easiest string instrument to play for obvious reasons, but it is not at all limited to the diatonic scale or any other basic tuning. You can also use the screwdriver blade on your Swiss army knife... You do have a Swiss army knife don't you? Lol! .
You need to make your own UA-cam video showing how you do that.
Where can I get one ?
I have many to choose from at www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/two-octave-zithers. Click on Current Stock.
I want a zither, please. My Country Is México.
I have plenty of zithers in stock here. jamesjonesinstruments.com/ Just click on the photo of the zither.
@@jpjonesmi very good!! thank you 🤝🙏
Per cortesia conosco solo l,italiano
I changed my strings and play it like a dulcimer
#Rayito2 iPhone X 😎😍🤗😁😄