The Psalterion is classified as a zither, belonging to a broad family of stringed musical instruments.
The Zither Family: Core Characteristics
Zithers, including the psalterion, are distinctive because their strings are extended across an armless, neckless frame or holder. This fundamental design sets them apart from instruments like guitars or violins, which typically feature a neck.
Key characteristics defining the psalterion's place within the zither family include:
- Stringed Instrument: At its core, the psalterion is an instrument that produces sound through vibrating strings.
- Frame-Based Design: Unlike many string instruments, it lacks a traditional arm or neck, with its strings spanning directly across its main body or frame.
- Plucked Sound: Traditionally, the psalterion is played by plucking its strings to produce musical notes.
- Global Variations: In many non-Western musical traditions, instruments that share the design principles of the psalterion are often simply referred to as zithers.
Variations within the Psaltery Family
While the classic psalterion is primarily a plucked instrument, the broader category of psalteries encompasses variations in playing technique. For instance, the dulcimer is a notable type of psaltery. The key distinguishing feature of a dulcimer is that its strings are struck with hammers rather than being plucked. This highlights how methods of sound production can differentiate instruments within the same classification family, yet still retain the core structural design of a zither.
