Cittern

The cittern is a plucked string instrument characterized by its flat back, pear-shaped body, and metal strings. It typically features a relatively short neck and a distinctive tuning, often in open tunings that facilitate chordal playing. Unlike the lute, which uses gut strings and has a rounded back, the cittern’s flat back and metal strings contribute to a brighter, more resonant sound. Classified as a chordophone, the cittern belongs to the family of plucked string instruments.

It shares similarities with other instruments like the guitar, lute, and mandolin, but its unique construction and tuning set it apart. The metal strings, a key characteristic, produce a sustained tone with a characteristic metallic timbre, different from the softer sound of gut-strung instruments. The cittern was primarily used for accompanying singing and dancing, as well as for playing solo pieces. Its portability and relatively simple playing technique made it a popular instrument for amateur musicians, while its versatility allowed professional musicians to incorporate it into a wide range of musical genres.

History: Continent and Century

The cittern’s history spans several centuries and continents, with its origins tracing back to the Renaissance period in Europe. While its exact origins are debated, it is generally believed that the cittern evolved from earlier plucked instruments in the 16th century. The cittern’s development was particularly prominent in Western Europe, including England, France, Germany, and Italy. In England, the cittern became immensely popular during the Elizabethan era, often mentioned in literature and depicted in paintings of the time. It was a common sight in taverns, homes, and even royal courts. In other European countries, the cittern also found a receptive audience. In France, it was known as the “cistre,” and in Germany, it was referred to as the “Zister.” Italian citterns often displayed elaborate decorations and craftsmanship, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of the Italian Renaissance.

The 16th and 17th centuries were the cittern’s golden age. During this period, it enjoyed widespread popularity across social classes. However, its popularity began to decline in the 18th century as new musical styles and instruments gained prominence. The rise of the guitar and other fretted instruments gradually displaced the cittern, leading to its eventual decline in common usage. Despite its decline, the cittern’s influence can be seen in the development of later instruments. The English guitar, also known as the “guittar,” was a direct descendant of the cittern and maintained its popularity well into the 18th century. The cittern’s legacy also extends to the modern cittern, which is used in some folk music traditions.

Characteristics

The cittern possesses several distinctive characteristics that contribute to its unique sound and playing style. These characteristics include its metal strings, flat back, relatively short neck, and open tunings.

Metal Strings: The cittern’s metal strings produce a brighter and more sustained tone than gut strings. This characteristic gives the cittern a distinctive metallic timbre that sets it apart from other stringed instruments.

Flat Back: The cittern’s flat back, unlike the rounded back of the lute, contributes to its brighter and more resonant sound. This design feature also makes the cittern more stable and easier to hold.

Relatively Short Neck: The cittern’s relatively short neck facilitates chordal playing, making it a popular instrument for accompanying singing and dancing. This feature also makes the cittern more portable and easier to handle.

Open Tunings: The cittern is often tuned in open tunings, which allow for easy chord voicings and facilitate the playing of melodies and harmonies. Open tunings were also common in other stringed instruments of the period, such as the lute and guitar.

Fretted Fingerboard: The cittern uses frets, allowing for precise intonation and easier playing of melodies.

Versatility: The cittern, throughout its active years, was used for a diverse array of musical purposes. These included, but were not limited to, solo performances, accompaniment of singing, and inclusion in many kinds of ensemble preformances.

Portability: The smaller size of many cittern models gave the musical instrument high levels of portability, which helped it increase in popularity among many levels of society.

These characteristics contribute to the cittern’s unique sound and playing style, making it a distinctive instrument in the history of European music. The use of metal strings significantly shapes the sonic qualities of the cittern. This is a primary differentiator when comparing the sound of the cittern, versus the sound of the Lute.

Construction and Design

The construction and design of the cittern are integral to its unique sound and playing characteristics. The instrument’s body, neck, and headstock are typically made of wood, with various types of wood used to achieve different tonal qualities. The cittern’s body is typically pear-shaped, with a flat back and a slightly arched soundboard. The soundboard, usually made of spruce, features a soundhole, often decorated with intricate carvings or inlay. The flat back, unlike the rounded back of the lute, contributes to the cittern’s brighter and more resonant sound. The neck of the cittern is relatively short compared to other stringed instruments, facilitating chordal playing. The fingerboard, often made of ebony or other hardwood, is fitted with metal frets that divide the neck into semitones. The number of frets and their placement can vary depending on the type of cittern and its intended use.

The headstock of the cittern houses the tuning pegs, which are used to adjust the tension of the strings. The tuning pegs can be made of wood or metal, and their design can vary depending on the period and region of construction. The cittern’s metal strings are a key feature of its construction. These strings, typically made of iron or brass, produce a brighter and more sustained tone than gut strings. The number of strings on a cittern can vary, but most commonly it features four to six courses of strings. A course refers to one or two strings tuned in unison or octaves. The bridge of the cittern, located on the soundboard, transfers the vibrations of the strings to the body of the instrument. The bridge can be made of wood or ivory, and its design can affect the tone and volume of the cittern.

The cittern’s construction and design reflect the instrument’s intended use and the musical aesthetics of the time. The flat back, metal strings, and relatively short neck contribute to its distinctive sound and playing characteristics.

Types of Citterns

Over its history, the cittern has evolved into various types, each with its own unique characteristics and intended use. These types reflect the changing musical styles and preferences of different periods and regions.

Renaissance Cittern: This type of cittern was prevalent during the 16th and early 17th centuries. It typically featured four to six courses of metal strings and a relatively simple construction. Renaissance citterns were used for accompanying singing and dancing, as well as for playing solo pieces.

Baroque Cittern: This type of cittern emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries, coinciding with the Baroque period in music. Baroque citterns often featured more elaborate decorations and craftsmanship, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of the time. They were used in a variety of musical genres, including chamber music and solo performances.

English Guitar (Guittar): The English guitar, also known as the guittar, was a direct descendant of the cittern and maintained its popularity well into the 18th century. It typically featured ten metal strings arranged in five courses and was often tuned in C major. English guitars were used for playing popular songs and dances of the time.

German Cittern (Zister): The German cittern, or Zister, was popular in Germany during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It often featured a larger body and a wider neck than other types of citterns. German citterns were used in a variety of musical genres, including folk music and art music.

Italian Cittern: Italian citterns often showcased beautiful decorations and craftsmanship during the Renaissance and Baroque era’s. These instruments where popular within the region, and often reflect the artistry of the areas builders.

Modern Cittern: The modern cittern is used in some folk music traditions, particularly in Ireland and England. It typically features ten metal strings arranged in five courses and is often tuned in open tunings. Modern citterns are used for playing traditional folk melodies and accompanying singing.

These types of citterns represent the evolution of the instrument over time. While each type has its own unique characteristics, they all share the fundamental features of the cittern, including its flat back, metal strings, and distinctive tuning.

Playing Techniques and Sound Modifications

The playing techniques employed on the cittern reflect its unique design and tonal characteristics. Unlike the lute, which primarily utilizes fingerstyle playing, the cittern was often played with a plectrum, allowing for a more forceful and rhythmic attack. This plectrum technique, combined with the metal strings, produced a bright and clear sound, ideal for dance music and popular tunes. Fingerstyle playing was also utilized, particularly in more refined settings, allowing for greater nuance and expressiveness. The cittern’s fretted neck facilitated the playing of chords and melodies, making it accessible to musicians with varying levels of skill.

Open tunings, which were common on the cittern, simplified chord progressions and allowed for the easy creation of drone-like accompaniments. These tunings also contributed to the instrument’s distinctive sound, creating a resonant and harmonically rich texture. Sound modifications on the cittern were achieved through a variety of means, including the use of different plectra, varying the plucking position, and employing different fingerings. The choice of plectrum material, such as quill, bone, or metal, affected the tone and attack of the instrument. Plucking closer to the bridge produced a brighter and more incisive sound, while plucking closer to the soundhole resulted in a warmer and mellower tone. Fingerings could also be used to create subtle variations in timbre and articulation. Additionally, some cittern players experimented with different string gauges and materials to achieve specific tonal effects. The use of sympathetic strings, which vibrate in response to other played notes, was also explored, adding depth and complexity to the instrument’s sound. The cittern’s adaptability allowed players to tailor its sound to suit a wide range of musical styles and performance contexts.

Applications in Music

The cittern found applications in a diverse range of musical settings, reflecting its versatility and popularity. In the Renaissance and Baroque periods, it was a common sight in both courtly and popular music. In courtly settings, the cittern was often used as a solo instrument or in small ensembles, providing elegant entertainment for aristocratic audiences. It was also used to accompany vocal music, adding a delicate and refined texture to performances. In popular music, the cittern was a staple of taverns and public gatherings, providing rhythmic accompaniment for dances and songs. Its robust construction and loud volume made it ideal for these lively settings. The cittern was also used in theatrical productions, providing musical accompaniment for plays and masques. Its ability to create a wide range of moods and emotions made it a valuable tool for storytelling and dramatic expression. Furthermore, the cittern played a role in the development of early popular song forms, contributing to the evolution of ballads and broadside tunes. The instrument’s accessibility and ease of playing made it a favorite among amateur musicians, who used it to accompany themselves and entertain friends and family. The cittern’s presence in various social contexts underscores its importance as a versatile and adaptable musical instrument. It was used in formal concerts, informal gatherings, and even religious settings, demonstrating its wide appeal and enduring legacy. Its use in folk music also shows it’s ability to transcend class and social barriers.

Most Influential Players

While the cittern may not have produced as many virtuoso performers as the lute, several influential players contributed to its development and popularity. Among them, Anthony Holborne, an English composer and musician of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, stands out for his contributions to cittern repertoire. His compositions, which include both solo pieces and ensemble works, demonstrate a mastery of the instrument’s capabilities and a sophisticated understanding of musical form. Richard Nicholson, another English composer and musician, also wrote extensively for the cittern, contributing to the development of its repertoire. In France, composers such as Guillaume Morlaye and Adrian Le Roy contributed to the cittern’s popularity through their publications of cittern music. Their works helped to establish the instrument as a legitimate and respected member of the musical ensemble. In Italy, the cittern was also embraced by composers and performers, who incorporated it into a variety of musical settings. While specific names of virtuoso cittern players may be less prominent than those of lute players, the contributions of these composers and musicians helped to shape the cittern’s repertoire and establish its place in the history of music. The widespread use of the cittern in amateur settings also suggests that countless unknown players contributed to its popularity and development. The cittern’s accessibility and ease of playing made it a favorite among amateur musicians, who used it to accompany themselves and entertain friends and family. The influence of these everyday players should not be overlooked, as they played a vital role in preserving and transmitting the cittern’s musical traditions.

Maintenance and Care

Maintaining and caring for a cittern is essential to preserving its sound and longevity. Like any stringed instrument, the cittern requires regular cleaning and maintenance. The metal strings should be wiped down after each use to remove sweat and oils, which can cause corrosion. The soundboard and body should be cleaned with a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt. The cittern should be stored in a dry and stable environment, away from extreme temperatures and humidity. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause the wood to warp or crack, affecting the instrument’s sound and structural integrity. Regular inspections should be performed to check for any signs of damage, such as cracks, loose frets, or warping. The frets should be checked for wear and replaced as needed. The bridge and nut should also be inspected for damage and adjusted or replaced as necessary. The tuning pegs should be checked for slippage and lubricated as needed. The cittern’s finish should be protected from scratches and dings. A high-quality polish can be used to maintain the instrument’s luster. Regular string changes are crucial for maintaining the cittern’s sound. Old strings can become dull and lifeless, affecting the instrument’s tone and intonation. The choice of string gauge and material can also affect the cittern’s sound and playability. It is advisable to consult with a qualified luthier or cittern specialist for advice on string selection and maintenance. Proper maintenance and care will ensure that the cittern remains a beautiful and playable instrument for generations to come.

Cultural Significance

The cultural significance of the cittern extends beyond its musical applications, reflecting its role in social and cultural life. The cittern’s presence in various social settings, from courtly chambers to public taverns, underscores its importance as a versatile and adaptable instrument. Its popularity among amateur musicians and its use in popular music forms demonstrate its accessibility and democratic appeal. The cittern’s presence in theatrical productions and its use in accompanying vocal music highlight its role in storytelling and dramatic expression. Its association with dance music and popular tunes underscores its connection to social gatherings and celebrations. The cittern’s imagery in art and literature also reflects its cultural significance. Paintings and illustrations from the Renaissance and Baroque periods often depict cittern players in various social settings, providing valuable insights into the instrument’s role in daily life. Literary works from this era also make mention of the cittern, further highlighting its presence in popular culture. The cittern’s cultural significance also extends to its role in the development of musical instrument design. Its unique construction and metal strings contributed to the evolution of wire-strung instruments, influencing the development of later instruments such as the guitar. The cittern’s legacy can also be seen in the revival of early music, where it continues to be played and appreciated by modern audiences. Its enduring appeal and cultural significance ensure that the cittern remains a valuable and cherished part of musical history.