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How is a lute different from a zither?
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stringed instrument
A Japanese musician plucking the strings of a koto with the right hand to generate a pitch and pressing the strings with the left hand to alter the tone.
The primary difference between a lute and a zither lies in their structural design regarding the relationship between the strings and the instrument's body.
Structural Differences
- Lute: A lute is defined by having strings that run along a distinct neck or pole, parallel to the instrument's belly (soundboard). The player changes the pitch by pressing the strings against the neck or fingerboard.12
- Zither: A zither is characterized by having strings that are fastened across a frame or soundboard that lacks a projecting neck or arms. The strings are generally the same length as the soundboard itself.3
Playing Technique
- Lute: Because of the neck, the player moves their fingers up and down the fingerboard to shorten the vibrating portion of the strings, which produces different pitches.2
- Zither: On many zithers, strings are plucked or struck directly. In some varieties, such as the European zither, strings nearest the player are stopped against a fretted fingerboard to create melody, while other strings remain unstopped to provide accompaniment.3
While both are chordophones, these fundamental morphological differences distinguish the two families.12