Mandolin Player: The instruments: Citterns: The renaissance cittern

The renaissance cittern



Main page
The instruments
Buyer's guide
Handbook
Lessons
Message board
Links
Site map


Site last updated .
This particular page was created 15/03/2004 and last updated 15/03/2006
Site updates
 

    Data:
  • Strings: 9
  • Courses: 4 ( 2 - 3 - 2 - 2)
  • Scale: 452 - 452 mm
The original cittern is the direct ancestor to the modern flat or arch backed mandolin, the baroque cittern, the Portuguese guitar etc., etc., etc., but, curiously enough, not the modern Irish cittern.
  It was an instrument remarkably similar to a modern day "A style" mandolin, but with lower string tension and a shallower body, giving it a much softer sound. It had its heydays during the late 16th century. The name probably derives from the greek word "kythara" and it is therefore likely it evolved from the same roots as the guitar.

The renaissance cittern is usually tuned aGDE or bGDE - with the fourth "course" (string pair) higher than the third. The third course is triple with the middle string tuned one octave up, the others are double.


Google
  Web www.mandolin-player.com