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Cittern

The cittern or cithren (Fr. cistre, It. cetra, Ger. Cister, Sp. cistro, cedra, cítola)[1] is a stringed instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the Medieval citole (or cytole). Its flat-back design was simpler and cheaper to construct than the lute. It was also easier to play, smaller, less delicate and more portable. Played by people of all social classes, the cittern was a popular instrument of casual music-making much like the guitar is today.

"Cither" redirects here. Not to be confused with zither or gittern.

Other names

Fr. cistre, It. cetra, Ger. zitter, zither, Sp. cistro, cedra, cítola

16th century

Chitarra Italiana

English guitar

Russian guitar

Stringed instrument tunings

Martina Rosenberger

Musick's Delight on the Cithren, John Playford (1666).

Musick's Delight on the Modern Cittern, Robin Alexander Lucas, Vol.I. (2021) ISBN 9781838438500; Vol.II. (2022) ISBN 9781838438517; Vol.III. (2023) ISBN 9781838438524.

Charles Pollet (1786).

Méthode pour Apprendre à Pincer du Cistre, ou Guitare Allemande

Renovata Cythara: The Renaissance Cittern Pages

Stefan Sobell website

Doc Rossi website

Zistern: Europäische Zupfinstrumente von der Renaissance bis zum Historismus

(publisher of printed tune books for the modern cittern)

Cittern Press

Citterns and cittern research at the Musikinstrumenten-Museum der Universität Leipzig