The zither is undoubtedly one of the oldest musical instruments, and perhaps one of the most famous among ancient instruments. Today, it is rare to find one, let alone someone who can play it, as it has been “overtaken” by instruments like the guitar, sitar, and other string instruments that are its direct descendants. However, the zither remains a fascinating cornerstone in the history of music, about which unfortunately very little is known. But how did the zither originate? What does it look like? And most importantly, how can you learn to play it, and who can help you master it? Below is a guide for those who want to learn to play the zither or simply learn more about this ancient and intriguing instrument.

The History of the Zither: From the Old Testament to Today

Among musical instruments, the zither is perhaps one of the oldest, with evidence of its existence found in ancient Greek texts and even in passages of the Old Testament, where its invention is attributed to Jubal, a direct descendant of Cain.

Known in ancient Greece as kithara, it is believed to be the origin of the words guitar and sitar, making it in a sense the “mother” of all string instruments. Throughout history, there are numerous accounts of its use, demonstrating how various civilizations valued and widely used it. For instance, Cretan soldiers employed a zither player to help them march in step by plucking the strings rhythmically, a role that would later be taken by drummers.

Ancient Greece has left us the most substantial evidence of the zither’s use and popularity. Professional zither players, known as citharodes, entertained courts with their compositions. Additionally, in Greek iconography, as seen on vases and mosaics, the zither often appears in the hands of the god Apollo, the deity of music and arts, who was often depicted as Apollo Citharoedus. With Greece’s conquest by Rome, the zither reached Roman courts, where it quickly became widely appreciated.

But the zither is not famous solely among ancient Indo-European civilizations. Variants of it seem to have been developed centuries ago in faraway countries, such as imperial China, where the guqin, a seven-stringed instrument similar to the zither, was popular, or the Persian tar, whose resemblance suggests a common origin.

In subsequent centuries, the zither continued to be integral to musical culture. Though its structure evolved, it remained a prominent instrument in Renaissance courts, where it was called the cetera, marking the beginning of its gradual transformation into what we now know as the guitar.

What a Zither Looks Like

The zither’s structure underwent numerous modifications over the centuries as it spread across different cultures, reflecting the rich history of this instrument. In early visual evidence, such as depictions on Greek vases from the 5th century BCE, the zither is shown as a hollow wooden box with two arms, also made of hollow wood, connected by a transverse wooden piece. This transverse piece supported five strings that stretched to the base of the box. Plucking these strings produced a sound that resonated through the main body and arms, which acted as a soundbox.

While its dimensions varied slightly in different depictions, ancient zithers were typically about half the height of an adult. Although somewhat bulky, they were hollow, making them relatively lightweight and allowing for extended play while being held in the arms.

During the Renaissance, the zither’s structure underwent gradual changes: the dual arms were replaced with a single arm, and the resonance box at the instrument’s base was flattened and given a pear-shaped design, with the arm extending from its top. The strings became metallic and were often doubled, enabling a broader range of sounds. These modifications laid the foundation for the modern guitar. Interestingly, these changes place the ancient zither not in the official family of zithers but in that of lutes, which the Renaissance cetera closely resembled.

How to Play the Zither

Playing the zither may seem challenging, but it is not much different from playing a harp, albeit smaller, or a guitar.

To play an ancient zither, one could sit down, resting the instrument’s body on the non-dominant leg while holding it with the non-dominant arm. Some zithers feature a handle or protruding piece at the back of the body to aid grip. Using the dominant hand, the strings are plucked, either with the fingers or a plectrum.

The strings are attached to the transverse piece between the two arms by small wooden or metal pins, around which the string ends are wound. By tightening or loosening these pins, players can adjust the tension of the strings, changing their pitch, similar to tuning a guitar.

For a visual reference, click here to watch a YouTube video by Giuseppe Severini, demonstrating how to play the ancient zither.

Playing the Renaissance zither (more accurately called cetera) is similar to playing the guitar: rest the instrument’s body on the leg, hold the single neck horizontally, and while one hand forms chords by pressing strings at various heights, the other plucks them near the resonance box, optionally using a plectrum. This creates diverse sounds based on the strings plucked and their pressed heights.

How to Learn to Play the Zither

Learning to play the zither is challenging not due to its inherent difficulty but because professional zither players are rare, making it hard to find skilled instructors. Fortunately, we live in the internet era, meaning there are plenty of tutorials available online that teach the basics of playing this beautiful instrument. Additionally, the zither is closely tied to liturgical music traditions, as it has been present in churches since ancient times. Some monasteries in Italy still study the zither and offer courses for learning it. One example is “Il Mondo della Cetra,” a music association linked to the Church that offers training in both music and liturgy, including zither lessons. For more information, visit their website to inquire about courses in your area.

For a more secular approach, there are numerous online videos explaining how to play the zither, as well as downloadable sheet music ranging from ancient to modern compositions. Additionally, contacting your nearest conservatory could be worthwhile. While unlikely, there may be a zither instructor available, allowing you to pursue a formal conservatory diploma in the instrument.