As such, it is a member of a large family of instruments across eastern Asia such as the zheng of China or the kayagum of Korea.
Zithers are also important to many other musical traditions.
Tuning and playing the koto demonstrates the interdependence between length and tension in setting the pitch of a stringed instrument. And the ko technique of increasing string tension while playing also changes the pitch. Fasten the two wooden slats below the long sides of the plywood, using glue and nails. With the angle formed by the lines on the plywood facing away from you, insert the screw eyes in the holes to the right. Run nylon twine through the holes on the left, tie it to the screw eyes on the right, and twist the screw eyes to tighten.