String zither
The string zither is a musical instrument used in alpine folk music .
history
The string zither (also table or lap violin ) was invented around 1830 by Johann Petzmayer , a zither and violin player from Lower Austria who was very famous in his time .
functionality
The instrument is a mix of violin and zither with four strings . Its heart-shaped wooden body is supported against the stomach and painted with a bow . The fretboard with frets like a zither is fixed to the edge of the table with a spike and thus takes its soundboard with it. The sound of the string zither appears delicate, slightly nasal and is in the pitch between violin or viola (tuning either in eadg or adgc).
Today's distribution and use
It is mostly played in the field of alpine folk music. This very rare instrument was played by the Tegernsee Trio - Kiem / Reiter / Holl.