A chromatic chorded zither is provided with at least one auxiliary damper comprising a rigid bar having string-engaging damping pads for converting the instrument for play in a diatonic scale. In one version of the instrument, retainers are provided on the chord bar housing for removably mounting the auxiliary damper alongside one of said chord bars, with the damping pads held in engagement with predetermined strings. In another version, the auxiliary damper bar has a tongue which fits into an opening of the chord bar housing. The damping pads of the auxiliary damper are arranged in a pattern to mute all strings of the instrument other than those corresponding to the diatonic scale for a particular key. With a set of several auxiliary dampers, the chromatic instrument can be converted to play in any one of several diatonic keys. The damper bars can be readily installed or removed with one hand, and take up very little room.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to stringed musical instruments, and in particular 
to improvements in chorded zithers, whereby a chromatic instrument can be 
readily converted to any one of several diatonic instruments. 
A chorded zither is an instrument comprising a hollow body having a set of 
parallel strings stretched across a resonating face and an assembly of 
side-by-side, individually depressible chord bars, each having multiple 
damping pads of felt or similar material, for selectively muting groups of 
strings when each chord bar is depressed. The strings are tuned to the 
notes of a musical scale. When a chord bar is depressed, the strings which 
are not muted correspond to the notes of a chord. Thus, when strings of 
the instrument are manually plucked or strummed with a particular chord 
bar depressed, a musical chord is produced. 
The following United States patents illustrate musical instruments of the 
chorded zither type: 
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530,369 Utt 
534,175 Roos 
541,352 Govan et al. 
634,142 Heymann 
674,028 Stewart 
753,867 Ford 
757,890 Cruger 
1,097,048 Reynolds et al. 
3,237,503 Peterson, Jr. et al. 
3,401,586 Peterson, Jr. et al. 
3,499,357 Peterson, Jr. et al. 
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Chorded zithers are normally produced in one of several possible 
configurations. 
A first type of instrument is the chromatic instrument, which is capable of 
producing, in each octave, all of the notes in the chromatic scale, i.e. 
C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B and C. 
A second type of instrument is the diatonic instrument, which produces, in 
each octave, only the notes of the diatonic scale for the key in which the 
instrument is tuned. For example in an instrument tuned to the key of C, 
only the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B can be produced in each octave. The 
accidental notes are omitted. Similarly, for an instrument tuned to the 
key of G, the notes G, A, B, C, D, E and F# can be produced in each 
octave. Again accidental notes are omitted. 
Chromatic and diatonic instruments are played using different techniques, 
and the diatonic instruments are especially desirable for playing certain 
categories of music, such as "fast fiddle" music, for example. Especially 
with diatonic playing techniques, there are frequent occasions for 
plucking or strumming strings or combinations of strings while none of the 
chord bars is depressed. To eliminate undesired tones resulting from 
plucking or strumming of unintended strings, or from sympathetic vibration 
of unintended strings, a diatonic instrument either omits the unnecessary 
strings altogether, or deactivates the unnecessary strings by means of 
locking dampers. 
One variation on the diatonic chorded zither is an instrument designed to 
be played in three diatonic keys. It contains chord bars for playing the 
scales of the three keys and also contains three lock bars, i.e. lockable 
damper bars, one for each key. The purpose of the lock bars is to remove 
the unnecessary notes for each key, thereby enabling the instrument to be 
played in true diatonic form. This instrument cannot be played 
chromatically, and is typically limited to the keys G, D and A or the keys 
F, C and G. 
Another variation of the chorded zither is an instrument in which the 
entire set of chord bars can be removed and replaced by another set in 
order to change from one key to another. 
Still other variations, in which chord bars are made longitudinally movable 
for the purpose of key changes, are exemplified by several of the patents 
listed above. 
A single chorded zither, whether of the chromatic or diatonic type, weighs 
approximately ten to twelve pounds. Many performers, as well as casual 
players, wishing to have the versatility of playing chromatically as well 
as diatonically in several keys, carry as many as four to seven 
instruments. 
The variations on the chorded zither provide a partial solution to the 
problem of versatility. However, the instrument having a completely 
replaceable set of chord bars, and the instruments having longitudinally 
movable chord bars, are somewhat clumsy and complex. Especially in the 
case of the instrument in which the chord bars are replaced, a significant 
amount of time is required for changing from one set of chord bars to 
another. 
A chromatic chorded zither typically contains approximately three octaves 
of strings. When the space required for plucking or strumming the shorter 
strings is taken into account, the space available for the chord bar 
system is limited to approximately six inches, measured in the direction 
of the lengths of the strings. This space accommodates no more than twenty 
one chord bars as a practical matter. If the chord bars include major, 
minor and seventh chords for each key, the instrument will accommodate as 
many as seven keys. However, if, as in the case of the three key diatonic 
instrument, a lockable damper bar is provided for each available key, the 
six inch space will accommodate only five keys, there being in that space 
fifteen chord bars, and five lockable damper bars. 
The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple device for 
temporarily converting a chromatic chorded zither to a diatonic instrument 
in any one of the several keys contained in the chromatic instrument, 
without sacrificing space available for chord bars. A further object of 
the invention is to enable a musician to change rapidly and easily from 
the chromatic configuration to a diatonic configuration and back to the 
chromatic configuration, and to change rapidly and easily from one 
diatonic scale to another. Still a further object of the invention is to 
provide a simple system for retrofitting existing chromatic instruments so 
that they can be rapidly converted to any of several diatonic scales. 
In accordance with the invention, a chromatic chorded zither is provided 
with at least one auxiliary damper comprising a rigid bar having 
string-engaging damping pads mounted thereon, and mounting means for 
removably mounting the auxiliary damper alongside one of said chord bars 
of the instrument, with the damping pads held by the mounting means in 
engagement with predetermined strings. The damping pads of the auxiliary 
damper are preferably arranged in a pattern to mute all of the strings of 
the set of strings on the instrument other than the strings corresponding 
to the diatonic scale for a particular key. With a set of several 
auxiliary dampers, the chromatic instrument can be converted to play in 
any one of several diatonic keys. 
Further objects, advantages, and details of the invention will be apparent 
from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
FIG. 1 shows a chorded zither 10 of the twenty-one bar chromatic type, as 
made by Orthey Instruments, RD 1, Box 34A, Newport, Pennsylvania, 17074. 
The instrument comprises a hollow body 12 having a resonating face 14 
across which are stretched a series of strings 16, tuned to the notes of 
the chromatic scale. A typical instrument has thirty six strings, 
encompassing three full octaves. 
A chord bar assembly 18 comprises an array of twenty one chord bars 
supported in a chord bar housing comprising two end blocks 20 and 22 
secured to the body of the instrument against resonating face 14. Each 
chord bar, e.g. bar 24 has a series of felt pads on its underside, e.g. 
pads 26 and 28, for damping strings selectively when the chord bar is 
moved toward the strings by manual depression of the chord bar operation 
button, e.g. button 30. The end blocks contain guides (not shown) for the 
chord bars, and spring assemblies (not shown) which normally maintain the 
pads of the chord bars spaced from the strings.. 
Depression of a chord bar causes damping of all of the strings of the 
instrument except for the strings for the notes of the corresponding 
chord. Thus, for example, depression of the G chord bar causes all strings 
except for the B, D and G strings to be damped. 
The strings of the instrument are plucked or strummed in the area adjacent 
to chord bar 32. In order to allow the shortest string to be plucked or 
strummed, the width of the chord bar assembly must be such as to provide 
space between chord bar 32 and tuning peg 34 for the shortest string. 
Thus, the width of the chord bar assembly must be significantly less than 
the length of the shortest string, and the number of chord bars is limited 
accordingly. 
So far, what has been described is a conventional chorded zither. In the 
improved version of the instrument according to the invention, end blocks 
20 and 22 are provided with overhanging, bar-retaining projections, 36 and 
38 respectively, on the ends of the blocks nearest the bridge 40. 
Projection 36, as shown in FIG. 1A overhangs the foot 42 of end block 20, 
and its underside has a recess 43 for receiving an end of an auxiliary 
damper bar. Projection 38 has a similar configuration. 
An auxiliary damper bar 44, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a rigid member of 
wood, metal, plastic or similar material 45 preferably having a uniform 
rectangular cross-section throughout most of its length, and having 
projections 46 and 48 at its opposite ends, with reduced cross-sectional 
depth, so that oppositely facing end surfaces 50 and 52 are formed at the 
ends of the main body of bar 46. Damper pads, e.g. 54 and 56, of felt, 
sponge rubber, or similar material capable of deadening the vibration of a 
musical wire string, are secured to the underside of bar 44 at appropriate 
intervals. 
The spacing between surfaces 50 and 52 on the bar is only slightly less 
than the spacing between the opposed surfaces 58 and 60 of blocks 20 and 
22 (FIG. 1). Therefore, when the end projections 46 and 48 of the bar are 
positioned underneath bar-retaining projections 36 and 38 respectively, 
with the end projections fitting into the recesses on the undersides of 
the bar-retaining projections, contact between surfaces 50 and 58, and 
between surfaces 52 and 60 prevents the damper bar 44 from moving 
longitudinally, and maintains the pads in register with the appropriate 
strings. The height of bar 46, and the height of its pads are such that, 
when the bar is in place, as shown in FIG. 5, the pads are in contact with 
the strings and compressed sufficiently that the end projections 46 and 48 
of bar 44 are urged upwardly against the bar-retaining projections 36 and 
38 and firmly held in the recesses in the undersides of the bar-retaining 
projections. As shown in FIG. 5, pads 54 and 56 are in contact with 
strings 62 and 64 respectively. 
The auxiliary damper bar is set in place by first bringing its pads into 
contact with the strings while the bar is tilted so that the lower part of 
the portion of the bar between surfaces 50 and 52 is positioned between 
blocks 20 and 22. The bar is then pressed downward, compressing the pads, 
and is rotated until end projections 46 and 48 are in position underneath 
the recesses on the underside of the bar-retaining projections 36 and 38. 
The bar is released, and the force exerted by the compressed pads urges 
the bar firmly into contact with the undersides of the retaining 
projections. The bar may be removed by pressing it downward and then 
rotating it so that the upper edges of its end projections 46 and 48 move 
out from underneath the overhanging bar-retaining projections 36 and 38. 
As shown in FIG. 2, bar 44 is labelled "G". Its pads are positioned so that 
the strings which are damped are those strings unnecessary to the diatonic 
scale in the key of G. Thus, the A#, C#, D#, F and G# strings are damped, 
and the C, D, E, F#, G, A and B strings are left open. Other auxiliary 
damper bars having different pad configurations may be readily substituted 
for bar 44 to enable the instrument to be played in diatonic style in 
different keys. 
FIG. 3 shows a conventional twenty-one bar chorded zither of the kind 
produced by Oscar Schmidt-International, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, Il. In the 
instrument of FIG. 3, the chord bars (not shown) are housed underneath a 
plastic cover 66, and operated by buttons 68. The plastic cover 66 has an 
opening 69 defined by a horizontal edge 70 and side edges 72 and 74. A 
specially designed auxiliary damper bar 76, shown in FIG. 4 comprises an 
elongated bar 78 having a generally rectangular cross-section, and having 
damping pads, e.g. pads 80 and 82, disposed at appropriate positions along 
its underside. A tongue 84, extending along the lower edge of side 86 of 
the bar is dimensioned so that it fits closely underneath edge 70 of 
opening 69, with one end 88 of the tongue in close proximity to side edge 
74 of the opening, and the opposite end 90 of the tongue in close 
proximity to side edge 72 of the opening, as shown in FIG. 7. The tongue 
84 is positioned relative to the pads so that, when the auxiliary damper 
bar is in place as shown in FIG. 7, the pads are in engagement with their 
corresponding strings and compressed so that an upward force is exerted on 
the bar sufficient to hold tongue 84 in engagement with edge 70 of the 
opening of the plastic chord bar cover, thereby maintaining the auxiliary 
damper bar firmly in position. Engagement of ends 88 and 90 of tongue 84 
with edges 74 and 76 respectively of the opening of the chord bar cover, 
prevents longitudinal movement of the bar. The side 86 (FIG. 4) of the bar 
is in contact with outside face 92 of cover 66, as shown in FIG. 6, so 
that the bar is stabilized against movement in the direction toward the 
tuning pegs of the instrument. Preferably, the damper bar and its pads are 
made sufficiently wide that the bar does not tend to tilt either toward or 
away from the chord bar housing. Alternatively, side 86 of the damper bar 
can be slanted so that it conforms to slope of face 92 of chord bar cover 
66 (FIG. 6). Friction prevents the bar from moving toward the bridge 94 
(FIG. 3). 
The damper bar of FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7 functions in substantially the same 
manner as the bar of FIGS. 2 and 5. Installation and removal of the bar 
take place in a slightly different manner, in that bar 76 is installed by 
pressing it downward against the strings, sliding it laterally, without 
rotation, until tongue 84 enters opening 69, and then releasing the 
downward pressure on the bar. Removal of the bar is accomplished by 
applying downward pressure, sliding the bar in the direction toward the 
bridge, and then removing the bar from the strings. Again, the instrument 
may be provided with several auxiliary damper bars so that it can be 
played, in diatonic style, in any selected one of several keys. 
The instrument of FIG. 3 requires no modifications in order to make use of 
the auxiliary damper bar of FIG. 4. 
The use of the auxiliary damper bar in accordance with the invention has 
many advantages over earlier methods of conversion from chromatic to 
diatonic tuning. Most importantly, the invention allows the musician to 
employ chromatic and diatonic playing techniques with a single instrument, 
without reduction of the number of chord bars available on the instrument. 
It also has the advantage that it allows the musician to change rapidly 
from one configuration to another by adding or removing a damper bar, or 
by removing one damper bar and substituting another. Changing from one key 
to another can be accomplished in a short time during a concert 
performance, between songs, using only one hand to make the change. 
Various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention to the 
instruments described. Examples of modifications are described below. 
In accordance with a first modification, to insure that the pads of the 
auxiliary damper bar are properly aligned with the strings, posts can be 
provided on the face of the instrument at positions such that, when the 
damper bar is in place, it is located between the posts and prevented by 
the posts from moving longitudinally. 
A second modification is a version of the instrument in which the auxiliary 
damper bar is held underneath metal hooks having shanks in the form of 
wood screws, which are threaded into the body of the instrument at 
locations adjacent to the chord bar housing. For alignment of the pads of 
the damper bar with the strings, the upper edge of the damper bar may be 
provided with notches to receive overhanging portions of the hooks. 
In the case of an instrument in which the chord bar housing consists of 
molded plastic blocks, the damper bar retainers can be integrally molded 
parts of the blocks. Similarly, where the chord bar housing consists of 
wooden blocks, the retainers can be unitary parts of the blocks, formed by 
milling. Where an instrument already manufactured is being retrofitted, 
however, the retainers will normally be separate parts secured to the 
chord bar housing or to the body of the instrument by metal fasteners, or 
by other wood joining techniques, for example dovetail joining. 
The damper bar may, of course, be located on the bridge side of the chord 
bar assembly, or alternatively on the tuning peg side, and appropriate bar 
retainers may be provided on either or both sides of the chord bar 
housing. The damper pad configuration will differ, depending on the side 
of the chord bar housing on which the auxiliary damper bar is to be 
placed. 
The damper bars, which will ordinarily be available in sets, for example a 
set of six bars for use with a twenty one bar chromatic chorded zither, 
may be marked with appropriate key designations in Braille for visually 
impaired musicians. 
The invention, is of course applicable to chorded zithers having various 
numbers and arrangements of chord bars, and is not limited to the standard 
configuration of chord bars found on a twenty one bar instrument. In a 
non-conventional chord bar arrangement, for example, as many as ten or 
more diatonic keys could be made available in addition to the chromatic 
scale, so that the instrument could be effectively eleven or more 
instruments in one. 
Various other modifications can be made to the instruments described herein 
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the 
following claims.