Improvements in and relating to Zithers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Zithers.
I, KARL DIETRICH, of Gasgasse No. 1, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object a zither so constructed that even amateurs can
play the melody with the right hand and the chord accompaniment with the left
hand, while they can likewise tune the cords or strings.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention has reference to a
zither of peculiar construction the strings of which are peculiarly stretched as
seen in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the music sheet belonging thereto and designed to
be inserted therein while Fig. 3 is a tune bridge.
The construction of the zither shown in Fig. 1 is such as to comprise two
parts A and B. The part A is provided with stretched strings or cords for playing
the melody, and the part B carries overstretched and gut strings for playing the
accompaniment. The melody strings are chromatically arranged; however some
of the strings could be left out of this arrangement.
The accompaniment strings are arranged in such a manner that each bass string
follows immediately the strings of the triad, (or three notes forming an accord)
belonging to the key note or tone required; for instance the bass string Fis
followed by the accompaniment strings A, C, 1', while the bass string C follows the
accompaniment strings E, G, C. Below the cover of the zither is fixed a plate C of
suitable material upon which the notes are indicated which resound when the
corresponding strings are picked, touched, struck or vibrated. In Fig. 4 is shown
a plate Carranged as indicated, but the scale could also be engraved on the cover.
Upon the part A, the first string which is separately tightened is the tune-string D
and below the same are glued the tube scales E. These scales could be inserted or
engraved. This string 1 serves to tune all the other strings by means of a tune
bridge F, Fig. 3, inserted below the same, after the tuning string has been tuned
first by the aid of a separate tuning fork or of a pitch pipe on the note «. The
tune scales E show the places where the tune bridge F is to be pushed to cause to
resound, by pulling the string D1), the tone described and indicated on the
scale. By comparison with this note, the concerning strings of the part A as well
as of the parts B can be subsequently tuned. The zither has, like those hitherto
made, a sounding board and side-pieces, the cover being furnished with two sound
holes one for A and another for B. My improved zither is moreover provided with
music bands or sheets, Fig. 2, which can be readily inserted in position. These
sheets or bands have two holes, k, k, which are passed over the pegs 7,7, fixed to the
cover after having first inserted the sheet under the strings.
The zither's music sheet or band is so arranged that the end points of the lines
meet that string which has to be vibrated so that the figures or cyphers show the
succession in which the string shall be picked for the melody as well as for the
accompaniment, the letters B indicate the bass strings alone, and the letters 6 show
the accompaniment strings alone; B, b, indicating that first the-bass and then the
accompanying strings must be vibrated, while the undulated lines
www.
together

page_text: with B indicate that the bass strings as well as the triad strings should be vibrated
or struck together.
Dated this 20th day of May 1898.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents, 62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, KARL DIETRICHI, of Gasgasse No. 1, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has for its objects a zither so constructed that even amateurs can
play the melody with the right hand and the chord accompaniment with the left
hand, while they can likewise time the cords or strings.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention has reference to a zither
of peculiar construction the strings or cords of which are peculiarly stretched as
seen in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the music sheet belonging thereto and designed to be
inserted therein while Fig. 3 is a tuning bridge.
The construction of the zither shown in Fig. 1 is such as to comprise two parts A
and B. The part A. is provided with stretched strings or chords for playing the melody
and the part B carries gut strings for playing the accompaniment or vamping
The melody strings are chromatically arranged; however some of the strings could
be left out of this arrangement.
The accompaniment strings are arranged in such a manner that each bass string
follows immediately the strings of the triad belonging to the key note or tone
required; for instance the bass string F follows the accompaniment strings A, C, F,
while the bass string C follows the accompaniment strings E, G, C. Below the
top or cover is fixed a plate C of suitable material upon which the notes are
indicated and resound when the corresponding strings are struck or vibrated.
In Fig. 4 is shown a plate Carranged as indicated, but the scale could be placed
on the cover. Upon the part A, the first string which occurs is the tuning string D
and below the same are glued the tuning scales E. These scales could be inserted
or engraved. The string D serves to tune all the other strings by means of a tuning
bridge F, Fig. 3, inserted below the same, after the tuning string has been tuned
first by the aid of a separate tuning fork or of a pitch pipe and of a tuning key
placed on . The tuning scales E show the places where the tuning bridge F is to
be inserted. By comparison with the notes thus obtained the corresponding
strings of the part A as well as of the parts B can be subsequently tuned. The
zither has, like those hitherto made, a sounding board and string pegs, the cover or
sounding board being furnished with two sound holes one for A and another for B.
My improved zither is moreover provided with music bands or sheets, Fig. 2, which
can be readily inserted in position. These sheets or bands have two holes, k, k,
which are passed over the pegs 1, 1, fixed to cover after having first inserted the
sheet under the strings.
The zither's music sheet or band is so arranged that the end points of the lines
meet that string which has to be vibrated and the figures or cyphers show the
sequence or order of rows in which the strings shall be struck for the melody as
well as for the accompaniment, the letters B indicate the bass strings only while
the letters show the accompaniment strings alone; B,, indicating that first the

page_text: bass and then the accompanying strings must be vibrated, while the undulated lines
together with B indicate that the bass strings as well as the triad strings should be
vibrated or struck together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:—
1. A bass and accompanying zither for the uninitiated or beginners characterized
by the arrangement whereby the melody strings are arranged chromatically on
the part A while the bass strings together with the strings of the corresponding
triad are strung on the part B, the tuning being effected by means of the tuning
string D, the scale E and a movable tuning bridge F, the tune being produced by
vibrating or striking each string which is shown through the underlying music
sheet (Fig. 2).
2. The arrangement of the music sheet or band pertaining to the zither claimed
above, whereby the figures or cyphers and the letters at the end points of the
lines show the strings that should be vibrated or struck as well as the manner of
vibrating or striking the accompanying strings in their relation one to the other.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1899.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
Chartered Patent Agents, 62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agents for the Applicant.